Paul in Philippians 3:14 (TPT) wrote, I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. In this eight-part series we draw from the lessons left us in the journey of the children of Israel from Egypt through the wilderness to the Promised Land. From 1 Corinthians 10:6-10 we take each of the things NOT to do, if we do not want to suffer the fate of those who never made it.

i) Do not lust after evil things (1 Cor. 10:6). Note the words in Numbers 11:4,34

1. The presence of mixed multitude (or a great mixed company)—maybe sympathisers who out of the fear of the judgement Egypt had been subject to, fled for safety, not because they were chosen of the Lord. Some commentaries say they were foreigners, some Egyptians of lower social standing who joined the Israelites, possibly including children of mixed marriages, Egyptians women by Hebrew fathers or vice versa, into whose families they had been adopted (e.g. Lev. 24:10-16). This is the extreme danger of mixed marriages, save where such is a Ruth (Contrast Ruth and Orpah in Ruth 1:14-17)
2. Lusted: The mixed multitude yielded to intense cravings for things that characterised their former lives. Two things were obvious here: not recognising neither willing to adapt to salutary change was at issue here, and the influence they then forced on the people of God.

We must never forget the change we experienced coming to Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:17-32 (TPT). If indeed old things are passed away, why company with people who will drag you back?

Finally, remember the word of the Lord to us in John 17:16,18 otherwise you cannot be in His commission!

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world…As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17:16,18

David got it right on how to avoid corrupting influences in Psalm 1:1-2, 6.

What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat. His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light…But how different it is for the righteous! The Lord embraces their paths as they move forward while the way of the wicked leads only to doom. Psalm 1:1-2, 6 (TPT)

Take heed now. Selah

Pastor Afolabi Oladele