Read 1 Corinthians 10
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Why do you suppose Paul warns us about imminent failure just when we think we’ve got temptation beat? “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” he says. Would he prefer that we be insecure, lacking confidence and uncertain in our convictions? No. What he’s warning us agains is lack of caution — knowing oneself and one’s weakness, yet guilty of wrong thinking and being caught with our guard down. Just because we “think” we’re standing firm doesn’t necessarily mean we’re thinking correctly. It is better to be cautious — especially when everything looks good.
And when the temptation comes, we’d do well to remember that it isn’t custom-designed just for us. “Designer temptations” don’t exist. You’ve got a sexual temptation? A money temptation? A power temptation? Join the club — there are thousands facing the same thing right now.
The thing to remember is that “God is faithful”. That is, he always responds to those who cry out to Him in the face of temptation. He never fails.
And, if you’re truly serious in your call for help, it will come. God will provide an escape route. Nine times out of ten, the escape plan will be dependent upon a choice of yours. You’ll have to grit your teeth, turn away from the potential pleasure, and step into the unfamiliar territory of self-denial. Otherwise the game of “sin, confess, sin” just goes on. And on.
