The follower of Christ is not immune from “Temptation.” It is not as some falsely believe though they may not say it, that the “closer” you get to the LORD, somehow He is so pleased with you that He excuses you from temptations. And the less temptations you have somehow it is a sign of how “spiritual” you are. You have earned it, “merited it” and that kind of false thinking exalts and elevates self and disposes of Grace! That’s a false concept that sometimes is expressed when difficulties come into a person’s life with the word “Why” followed by a list of all the “good” they have done that should “merit” favor with God so that He should excuse them from difficulties and “Temptations!” But this passage shows us that “Temptations” are part and parcel of life and that includes the follower of Christ also! To recall, Temptations are not unique to you or me, “… But such as is common to man.”{1 Cor 10:13}. The truth to know when being tempted and about temptations, you never ever face one alone, no matter how severe, subtle, or “in your face,” it may be! God “has not left the building” when temptations come, or if you don’t “feel” His presence! He is “with you”-{Heb 13:5;} “in you,” –{Col 1;27} and “For you” –{Rom 8:31}.

THREE ENEMIES YOU FACE;

In times of “Temptations,” understand that they come from WITHOUT– through “The World,” and the “devil, “and also from WITHIN- “the Flesh!”-{Read Eph 2:2-3; 1 John 2:15-16; James 1:14}

 The evil one can tempt but only you or me has the power to grant permission and yield, in order for the temptation to become a reality. And if we do yield, then we give birth to sin -{Read James 1:14-15}. The “world” which speaks of society, a system, that has rejected, denied God, and has its own order of how to live and what is important, it is anti the One True and Living God. It is rebellion against God and prefers and seeks to live and promote as though He does not exist or if He does, He is irrelevant, impotent. We know the Scripture says such a system is evil! The world tempts, solicits us to evil, but only we can choose to submit to the temptation, as we have the power to say “no” to it through the indwelling Spirit, and instead say “yes” to the LORD in obeying His Word! The “devil “tempts but he does not have power to make you yield to temptation. You are no longer under his jurisdiction, authority, having been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son-{Read Col 1:13}. The “flesh” is what I call “the traitor within.” James wrote “… but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”-{James 1:14}.

So, temptation is to be expected, you never outgrow it, you are never so “spiritually mature” that you are “above” temptation, if anything you become more dependent upon the LORD and less trust in your own Self and supposed “resources,” to handle temptation. We need Him and always shall, as long as we have breath. For the temptations may change… but temptations will remain. “But God…” God is Faithful, and this extends to our times of Temptations, as subtle or fierce, relentless as they may be…Consider…

God’s Faithfulness overflows…in our time of temptation…to Protect, Provide, Empower…

  • GOD IS FAITHFUL- To PROTECT –“…Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are Able…” He will not allow it. He is Sovereign. He is in control and He who is faithful ahs spoken and cannot lie!
  • God is FAITHFUL- To PROVIDE – “…will Provide The Way Of Escape…”
  • God Is FAITHFUL- To EMPOWER – “… So that you will BE ABLE to ENDURE it.”
  • God is FAITHFUL- TO KEEP HIS PROMISE!- To Keep THIS PROMISE in 1 Cor 10:13

 We experience His Protection, Provision, Power as we apply His Word, trusting Him in time of opposition, temptation. We experience His victory only when we experience opposition such as when tempted, THROUGH His Spirit empowering, and Applying His Word -{Read Phil 2:13; 2 Peter 1:3-4}!

Temptations goal is not to bring you closer to our LORD Jesus or Honor Him

but to dishonor Him by tempting you to choose to sin against Him!

What is meant for evil- to sin against God, God works “all things” including temptations for good as He provides for us His Plan and Power for us to know Him better, develop our faith by clinging to Him and His Promise and applying it in our times of temptations!

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”-{1 Cor 10:13}.

God is Faithful! God is Sovereign, He is in control, always in control, completely in control, as He states “He will not allow you to be attempted beyond what you are able!” Who “will not allow it?” GOD! The Sovereign LORD! Your “temptations” do not have dominion, control over you, God has dominion, control over them, an important point for you to remember! 

Would God have you or me in a situation where the only way out is that we have to succumb and sin against Him? What does this verse teach in 1 Cor 10:13? How does He answer that question from this verse?

 Have you ever thanked the LORD for the temptations He has seen you through as well as those He has Kept you from? Because He knows you could not handle them at this moment, but the ones that do come, seeking to destroy you, dishonor Him and dishearten you, Know He is Present and He is in control and has given you “everything pertaining to life and Godliness”-{Read 2 Peter 1:3-4} . The evil one would savagely destroy you were it not for the restraining, keeping power of God. “Thank You LORD, even my temptations are under Your control!” One thing that temptations should produce is the realization of just how much we need the LORD as well as having a holy distrust of self-reliance instead of God dependency , and also should produce and develop in us a compassion for others who are being tempted- as this is Christlike when we do.- {Read Heb 2:17-18; Gal 6:1}

 When Tempted; Focus on His Character, in particular, His Faithfulness and also as a result, His faithful Promise for you. He Keeps All of His Promises because He is Faithful, reliable, trustworthy! You never face a temptation alone of without His provision for all temptations. You have His Spirit, His Word, His Resources to make Godly responses and His Promise to encourage you –{Read Phil 2:13 NLT; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Phil 4:13}

What do you know when Temptations come? You are not on your own, It is not unique to you, and that “… GOD IS FAITHFUL!”

YOU HAVE A PROMISE;

In the storms of life and temptations we need an “Anchor” and God’s Faithfulness is such an anchor of HOPE to us in times of Temptations. Look away and consider Him and His Faithfulness, who gives the PROMISE of Protection, Provision and Power for you so you need not sin against Him when tempted!! –

WHEN TEMPTED- remind Yourself, “I Have a PROMISE- And The PROMISE KEEPER!” – 🙂