God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
There are some things you should know about temptation. Firstly, temptation comes to all, and there are no exceptions. Secondly, temptation is not sin in and of itself, but acquiescence to it is. Thirdly, your enemy, the devil, is a powerful, persuasive, and persistent opponent. Fourthly, the evils of temptation may be disguised, i.e., labels changed to confuse you. Finally, God makes a way for you to avoid temptation and strengthen your faith.
There are lessons you can learn as you walk out the life of faith in today’s secular world. Prideful thinking about your own ability to resist and conquer any temptation will fail (1 Corinthians 10:12). God’s faithfulness and His understanding of your strengths and weaknesses are what make it possible for you to face and defeat the tempter. Today’s verse states that He “will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.”
Kenneth Chafin reverses Paul’s negative commands in verses 6-10 to provide positive guidelines to follow to resist temptation. Learn to desire what is really good for you (verse 6). Place the Lord first in your affections (verse 7). Put your sexual expression into the context of love and commitment (verse 8). Learn to trust God for your needs (verse 9). Finally, keep a positive and wholesome spirit (verse 10).
Pray for this nation and its leaders to place their faith in the true God and resist the evil that abounds. “Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord, and turn away from evil “(Proverbs 3:7). Be constant in your devotion to His Word. The faithful, unchanging God will be your anchor.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
