1 Corinthians 10:13 A Way Out

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Paul just finished giving a small list of examples of people falling into temptation from the Bible. He points out that they were shown as examples to everyone as to what not to do. Now he talks about temptation directly.

When people go through temptation, they often feel that they are the only ones going through it or that it is unique to them. Yet, every temptation a person can go through is common to all men. The main difference is that people are more open to certain temptations than to others.

God does allow a person to be tempted. It is part of the freedom of choice He has given each person. Temptations will come your way, if not at the moment, just wait a little and they will show up again.

With knowing that you will be tempted, God also provides a way out of that temptation. There is a way to get away and resist it. The challenge is to see that way out and accept it.

You have a choice as to whether to follow that temptation, or flee from it. You do not HAVE TO sin, it is a choice.

When you are flipping through the channels on TV, you have the choice to skip pass a bad show or movie. When things go wrong in your life, you have the choice as to whether you get angry and sin or accept the challenge. When you are offered to do something sinful you do have the choice of whether to say no and walk away or to accept it. The list of temptations are endless, but God will provide a way out every time. Take the way out.

Ask God to show you the way out. Get and keep your eyes focused on Jesus and the temptation will disappear. Do not give in to the temptation.

I pray today that you will not allow yourself to be overcome by temptation; that you will keep your eyes on Jesus; that God will show you the way out; that you will take the way out of temptation; and that God will use you to strengthen and encourage others to flee temptation.