“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)
Paul gave the apostasy of God’s first covenant people in the wilderness as an example to His second covenant people (the church.) His clear warning to the church at Corinth was “don’t think it can’t happen to any one of you.”
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11,12)
Idolatry doesn’t have to be the crass erection of a pillar, totem, or statue. Paul equated idolatry with any form of evil covetousness (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). And so the warning to the saved is:
“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them …” (1 Cor. 10:6,7)
Secret, ungodly, un-crucified desires that lie latent in the heart are “ticking time bombs” waiting for the right moment to break out and cause us to fall away. If we submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). But when we don’t flee idolatry the devil hangs around, biding his time until he can orchestrate the fulfillment of our forbidden dreams.
Yes, God has a way of escape for us when we are tempted. But don’t expect to find it when you won’t deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. A falling away is ahead. You’ve been warned.