1Corinthians 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 (ESV)
This past Sunday’s teaching on temptation, one of the things James emphasizes, was enlightening, challenging, and eye opening. Not only is temptation the cause of all trials and tribulations experienced since the beginning of time, daily, it’s our spirits’ greatest nemesis. In fact, Paul highlights this battle in Galatians 5:17, where he discusses the unending conflict between the spirit and the flesh. Although temptations’ power is present everywhere we go, as Christians, we take comfort in knowing that we have power over it. In 1Corinthians 10:13, Paul says, “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 (ESV).” Amen! Although combating temptation is a consistent battle for us, knowing that God provides ways of escape, so that we may be able to endure it is comforting. How does He do this? For starters: through submission. By our own strength, we cannot defeat temptation. In fact, the moment Christians succumb to such false notions is the moment they become even more susceptible to its seducing power. To overcome temptation, we must first submit to God as highlighted in James 4:7. In this context, I understand submission to be recognition of our inadequacy, inefficiency, and inability. And only through this recognition that comes as a result of God’s grace, can we see our need for reliance on strength greater than our own.
Through submission, we can utilize the many tools the Lord has given us to combat temptation, mainly: prayer, the Bible, wisdom, and more. The words in The Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” summarizes how powerful prayer can be for resisting tempting situations. The word of God, the other vital resource, gives us the essential tools needed to combat temptation. In Psalms 119:9-11, David makes the following proclamation: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” This passage and many others, highlight how effective being in the word, and as James clearly emphasizes in James 1:22, “doing the word,” assists in overcoming temptation. Armed with prayer and the word, wisdom is another imperative tool needed to overcome temptation. The fear and seeking of the Lord through prayer and the word sets the backdrop for wisdom. Any Christian can pray and read the word, but wisdom, which can be a consequence of these actions, must be exercised to overcome temptation. We fail to exercise wisdom when we go to places we shouldn’t go, watch things we shouldn’t watch, or even become unequally yoked together with people we shouldn’t be, because in doing, we make provisions for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14).
A lack of Biblical wisdom can set the stage for even greater temptation, so like Joseph who fled when he was sexually tempted by Potiphar’s wife, we must “flee” situations that escalate temptation. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Edition) defines fleeing as, “Running away, as from trouble or danger.” Clearly, temptation is trouble and dangerous. It’s often loaded with repercussions that can be colossal, so it’s no surprise that in 2Timothy 2:22, Paul uses the same word when he says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace…” As Christians, we are tempted every single day, but knowing that God has provided a way of escape, so that we may be able to endure should give us immense peace. Blessings Kefa
He Has Magnified His Word 