“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

You’re not that smart. That’s what this verse is saying.

You think you can outwit satan? You think you can withstand his assault? Come on. satan talked angels out of heaven. You don’t think he can talk you into sin and hell? You’re not that smart.

So, then, what is our hope? 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul tell us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful.”

What is our only hope? God. Trust in God. Turn to God. When the devil rages war with his lies, turn to God and read God’s word. Turn to God’s truths.

On our own, we have no chance. Our only hope in temptation is God. Turn to him. You can find him present in his word, in his truth.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).

This is not rocket science.

This is not even an exclusively a Christian virtue. All the great religions of the world affirm this simple truth.

There is a Japanese proverb that says:

• If it’s not yours, don’t take it
• If it’s not right, don’t do it
• If it’s not true, don’t say it

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” That’s what that says.

The only thing is that none of us are very good at this. But can you imagine a world where this was how we lived?

Wow. That might just be heaven.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Jesus tells us, if you love me, you will obey, you will keep my commandments.

A few things about obedience. First, the only time obedience comes into play in our relationship with Jesus is when what I want to do is in contradiction with what Jesus calls me to do. All the other times obedience is not needed because that’s what I would have done anyway. It’s when everything in my being wants to do one thing and Jesus commands me something different that obedience comes into play.

Second, obedience to God is always possible. That God calls us to obey, and that obedience is a choice means that obedience is always possible. It all depends on you. It all depends on me. It depends on the choice we make.

Finally, when we disobey it means that we chose disobedience. Disobedience is a willful and intentional decision on our part. We – who know that God knows best, who know that God only wants what is best for us – tell this God to shove it and we do our own thing. It’s a deliberate and willful rejection of God. This is straight out betrayal. This is why disobedience is so devastating.

That’s why Jesus ties obedience to love. If you love Jesus, you obey Jesus.

It is a dreadful error to fall into the thinking that because you have such feelings that you can do nothing but to act on your feelings. Our feelings will lead to destruction and devastation.

God knows best. God wants only what is best for us. Trust him. Obey