1 Corinthians 10 - The Surefire Method to Overcome Temptation!
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 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,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
As I mentioned before, Corinth was a place of all kinds of temptations and sinful practices. Sexual immorality, idolatry, and pagan worship to name a few. Paul points out these practices were really no different than the practices of the Israelites in Jewish history. What made it worse was the Israelites were God's own people, and they still disobeyed him. Unfortunately for them, they paid for it with their lives.
Paul hopes that the Corinthians will be different, especially because he thought Jesus was going to return soon. So Paul gives them some very practical advice, and a method to overcome the temptation, they would surely be facing there.
First, Paul warns them of pride. "Pride cometh before the fall". - Proverbs 16:18. When you think you are immune to temptation, you are the most vulnerable to it. Why? Because we can never fight temptation in our own power, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, Paul gives a specific proscription for how to overcome temptation.
1. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind." Sometimes when we are being tempted, we think we are the only one who has ever had it this bad. Instead of realizing there is nothing new under the sun and others have been tempted in this EXACT way, we rationalize that they only way to endure is by giving into it. When temptation comes your way just realize this has happened to thousands of other believers before you. You can have victory over it just like they did.
2. "God is faithful and will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." The devil can never "make you do anything". And, there is no temptation which is beyond your ability to overcome it. But most importantly this verse says, "God is faithul".
This is a great promise that no matter what you are going through, God is faithful and he will always deliver you from the evil one. When we take our eyes off of ourselves and focus on God's faithfulness, we realize that as Paul says in Philippians 4:13,
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"
3. "And when you are tempted, God will provide the way out so you can endure it."
I like another version which says, "God will provide the way of escape". Though temptation may seem suffocating and unavoidable, God will always give you an alternative route to take. Of course, this is if you want to take this route! Sometimes we sin because we want to, and no amount help God could give us would be of any use to us in this condition.
This is kind of a fun one. You could almost make it a game when you are being tempted to say, "Okay God, where are you going to show me the way of escape this time!" When we really believe these words and live by them, we see that God will always keep His promises in regard to temptation. We don't have to give into temptation but can be victorious over it.
Of course, on the flipside the devil does the exact opposite, as he tries to persuade us to give into temptation. He tells us that we will never be able to withstand the temptation, so we might as well give into it and get it over with. He tells us that there is no escaping the temptation, so we feel trapped and powerless. We might feel the only way out is to give in. The devil takes our eyes off of God and onto ourselves, our surroundings and to those he is using as pawns to get us to fall.
Where are you being tempted in your life of faith?
Where does it seem like there is nothing left to do but give in? First of all, are you looking for a way out of this temptation? Or, are you resigned the only way out is to just give in?
How can trusting in God and His promises not only strengthen your faith but the faith of others around you?
Jesus, thank you that you were the ultimate model for overcoming temptation when you were in the wilderness fighting the devil. You relied on God's His promises and met every temptation he threw at you with the Word of God. Help us when we are tempted to realize we are not alone. You are with us, and you are faithful to deliver us, as we follow the escape route you have provided! Amen.
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