Temptation

"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." 1 Corinthians 10:13

There's a saying that is funny, but to some degree holds a lot of truth for the Christian life.  The saying is, "Opportunity only knocks once but temptation leans on the doorbell."  Temptation to sin will always be a part of our life while here on earth.  But the Bible has a lot to say about what we can do to deal with temptation.

I want to look at 1 Corinthians 10:13 for a brief study on temptation.  Although this is a short verse, it is a powerful verse and can teach us many things.  I wanted to take a few minutes to break down the verse in small pieces and see what can be learned and applied to our lives.  I'm going to bullet point key words and phrases and offer some commentary on them.

• No temptation  This is a qualifier.  It says no temptation, not a single one.  It doesn't say 'some' or 'most.'  It says NO temptation!
• No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man  No temptation you face is uncommon to mankind.  The temptation you are facing this day is the same temptation that Christians have faced throughout history.  Don't feel you are alone or the only one facing temptation.
• but God is faithful When you are in the midst of your temptation, remember that God is faithful.  He is trustworthy and true.  He can be counted on and will not leave you.  God is aware of the temptation you are in.
• God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able The verse doesn't say God will keep you from temptation.  But it does say He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are capable of handling.  So if you are facing a temptation, God in His faithfulness has allowed the temptation and it is one that is not beyond your ability to handle.  In faithfulness God allows us to face temptation to build up our spiritual strength.
• but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it God allows us to face temptation, but it is one He knows we are able to handle AND He provides a way for us to escape the temptation!  Our responsibility is to look for and take the way of escape.  When you stop looking at the temptation and start looking for the escape hatch, you will escape.  When you keep looking at the sin and don't look for the way of escape, you can't blame God for falling into sin.  Temptation isn't sin but giving in to temptation is.

Throughout your walk with the Lord you will face temptation to sin.  God, in His faithfulness will limit the temptation to one you can bear and He will faithfully provide a way to escape the temptation.  When you are in the midst of the temptation, don't isolate yourself and feel you are alone.  Remember God's faithfulness and look for the way to escape.  Pray that He will show it to you and stand on the promise of this verse.