4. What admonition recorded at 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13 did Paul give?

⁴ When Paul wrote to Christians living in Corinth​—a city known for its moral depravity—​he offered a realistic warning against temptation and the power of sin. He said: “Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.

Do Not Be Overconfident

5. Why is overconfidence risky?

⁵ Paul states: “Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.” Overconfidence about our moral strength is risky. It betrays a lack of understanding of the nature and power of sin. Since people like Moses, David, Solomon, and the apostle Peter fell into sin, should we feel that we are not vulnerable? (Numbers 20:2-13; 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 1 Kings 11:1-6; Matthew 26:69-75) “The wise one fears and is turning away from badness, but the stupid is becoming furious and self-confident,” says Proverbs 14:16. Moreover, Jesus said: ‘The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.’ (Matthew 26:41) Since no imperfect human is immune to corrupt appetites, we need to take Paul’s warning seriously and resist temptation, or we take the risk of falling.​—Jeremiah 17:9.

6. When and how should we prepare for temptation?

⁶ It is wise to prepare for trouble that may occur unexpectedly. King Asa recognized that a period of peace was the right time for him to build his defenses. (2 Chronicles 14:2, 6, 7) He knew that it would be too late to prepare at the moment of attack. Similarly, decisions about what to do when temptations arise are best made with a cool head in the peace of untroubled moments. (Psalm 63:6) Daniel and his God-fearing friends made their decision to be faithful to the law of Jehovah before they were pressured to eat the king’s delicacies. Hence, they did not hesitate to stick to their convictions and not partake of unclean food. (Daniel 1:8) Before tempting situations arise, let us strengthen our resolve to remain morally clean. Then we will be able to resist sin.