For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

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.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The sins identified in this passage are the following:

1. Lust
2. Idolatry
3. Fornication
4. Tempting Christ
5. Murmuring

If you need to understand what these sins are, please consider buying Dr. Cole’s book and read it. It will probably be enlightening for you to learn what these sins really mean especially lust (desire to get) versus love (desire to give), and idolatry (which can be as obvious as worshipping other gods or as subtle as creating a fantasy in your mind to satisfy yourself). If you have committed any of these sins, repent and follow the formula in 1 John 1:9 to remove it from your life:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

We all love the words of Jesus in Mark 11:23-24. We can command mountains to move, believe in our hearts and speak our desires into existence (author’s paraphrase). But, check out verses 25-26. Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” This is a classic example of how refusing to forgive can hinder us from walking in the Blessing. In essence, not forgiving nullifies the previous verses. How can we expect to receive anything from God knowing we are in direct violation of His command to forgive? Another classic verse is Luke 6:38—give and it shall be given …. Jesus qualifies that in verse 37 saying, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” These must be adhered to in order to get the pressed down-shaken-together-running over blessing. Think about this. How many true givers do you know who judge, condemn and hold grudges?

Carrying old hurts and offenses also gives the enemy an opportunity to rob us of the divine health promised in the Blessing. Many studies have linked forgiveness to better overall health. Two cases in point: a 2001 survey of 1,423 adults by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research found that people who had forgiven someone in their past also reported being in better health than those who had not.* Additionally, the Duke University Medical Center reported in 2003 that among people who have chronic back pain, those who have forgiven others experience lower levels of pain and less associated psychological problems like anger and depression than those who have not forgiven. These findings were presented at the Conference on Forgiveness in Atlanta the same year.*

The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, but was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). I am positive that He had more chances to hold grudges than are recorded. He was maliciously railed upon, mentally and physically abused. He forgave them all—He even healed the soldier who came at Him with a sword and forgave the violence against Him as He suffered on the cross. In recounting my own unsavory life experiences, I find that as I verbalize them, I remain free from their attempts to bind me. I don’t share them in an attempt to gain sympathy or to get someone on my side. They are my testimonies of God’s healing power. He healed my mind and physical body as I chose to forgive. Dear friends, don’t waste another day in the past. Forgive and allow the Blessing of the Lord to flow freely in your life!

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta 
*http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/2001/Dec01/r121101a.html\l (link to the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research)*http://www.Forgiving.org (link to the source of the findings of the Duke University Medical Center study)