1 Corinthians 10:6-10 “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.’ We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did–and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did–and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed by the destroying angel.”

A shortness of breath; nausea, indigestion or heartburn; lightheadedness or dizziness; feelings of heavy fatigue; cold sweats; a tight feeling in the chest spreading to the arms and neck–these are warning signs of a heart attack. Call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately.

Dabbling in other religions and interest in other forms of spirituality; accepting and adopting sex outside of marriage as normal and healthy; questioning and challenging God’s promises and providence; grumbling about your standard of living–these are warning signs that faith is fading. The true spiritual life in you is dying, and you need to seek God’s remedies before it is too late.

Most of the Christians in Corinth were new to the Bible faith. A few of them grew up in Judaism. The Jews knew the accounts of Moses and Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. They were aware of the many bad examples set by their ancestors. Paul wanted the rest of the congregation to be aware of this history so they could see the warning signs, too.

Bad example number one: Israel worshiped the golden calf idol at the foot of Mount Sinai. They waited just over a month for Moses to come down from the mountain with God’s instructions. Then they grew tired of waiting and wanted a new god to lead them. They proposed a new god–something they could see, a shape they could understand, not some invisible being. Their new god would be fun to worship. A party atmosphere surrounded his worship, not a serious God reminding them of their failings. Three thousand people died as a direct result of this experiment in idolatry.

Maybe our idols aren’t metal statues in the shape of farm animals. Maybe they are green pieces of paper and little metal disks we collect and trade. The cult of money doesn’t ask us to change. It just promises a happier version of ourselves.

Even the increasingly popular turn toward atheism doesn’t so much promote God’s nonexistence. Have you ever listened to one of these people talk about their unfaith? It becomes clear they still belong to a cult. It is the cult of self, an idol far more jealous of glory and praise, and far less gracious and giving, than the God Moses met on Mt. Sinai.

Bad example number two: Shortly before Israel entered the Promised Land, thousands of Israelite men were lured into the promiscuous sex practiced as part of a fertility cult in Moab. The Lord sent a deadly plague to chastise them.

For us, departures from God’s command to limit sexual relations to one man and one woman joined in marriage is one of the great cultural tragedies of our time. We still pay an incredible price in sickness and death. Over 15,000 Americans die of STD’s each year according to the CDC and National Institutes of Health. The spiritual toll contemporary attitudes and practices take on human souls can’t be measured.

Bad example number three: Israel complained about the free food the Lord gave them in the wilderness. They also grumbled about the new country he was giving them, because taking possession would require a military campaign. Both incidents resulted in more loss of life.

Have you ever felt as though you didn’t have enough? This car, this home, this job, this income, maybe even this family was something less than you needed. Envy is a sin that gets little attention. It is a close cousin to greed and a common human failing. I am not immune to it. I can’t afford the vacation someone else took. I have to buy used instead of new. This can turn my heart against the Lord. My spirit accuses him of not doing right by me. That is as spiritually poisonous as any of the other examples Paul has given.

Can we say we have faith in the God we are accusing of cheating us? Paul provides examples from these past events so we don’t miss the warning signs of a dying faith. Confronting this isn’t meant to hurt us. It is meant to turn us. The Lord has something better for us than golden idols, sexual pleasure, or material possessions. He loves us without limits. He gives his Son to save us. His grace is inexhaustible. Heaven offers even more. Don’t ignore the warning signs. Don’t miss the alternative to false gods we think we want.