Temptations

Temptations

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 

I thought this was a great verse to talk about because we are all tempted.  It can be so frustrating because we are tempted the most when we make a commitment to do something.  We make a commitment to stop eating donuts and someone brings in donuts to the break room at work.  You make a commitment to start running in the morning and someone invites you to do something else in the morning.  You decide you will take a break from drinking alcohol and your friends call up and invite you to margarita Tuesdays.  I am sure you all have your own examples of times when you made a commitment to do something and then were immediately tempted to break that commitment.  It is inevitable and many times we don’t even realize it is a temptation.  We don’t realize we are being tempted away from our commitment.  

I am not sure what the first line in the verse is saying.  My interpretation is that we need to be careful if we think we are above temptations, or if we start to think we are standing on our own two feet and we have this whole faith thing down pat.  Or maybe we start to think too much of ourselves and our own abilities.  It says, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”  I think what God is trying to tell us is to be careful and to think twice if we feel everything is easy for us and we are doing everything right.  If we start to think we are perfect then we may fall.  Humility is so important.  We can all always learn something, there isn’t a single one of us that knows everything or that does everything perfectly.  There is always room for improvement.  I think this is what the Lord is trying to tell us with this first line, but I don’t know that for sure.  I am definitely not a theologian.  

The next line is an important one.  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” In other words, you are not alone.  Temptation is not a new thing.  It is not something that is unique to you.  Temptation has been around since the beginning of time, quite literally.  Look at Eve, she was tempted by the apple.  Temptation is here and it is not going anywhere.  I think this line is put in to reassure us that temptation is normal.  We all get tempted.  There is nothing wrong with us just because we are tempted.  Sometimes we can feel that we are weak if we are tempted.  Everyone is tempted by something at one point or another.  

The next part says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength.”  This is great news.  God is right there with us in that temptation.  He may be allowing the temptation but he will not tempt us more than we can handle.  I wonder if this means we have the power to resist all temptations?  I honestly don’t know the answer to that question.  I know I don’t always feel like I have the power and I know I don’t always resist the temptations in front of me.  Is that because I am not trying hard enough or because I am not using or accepting the power that God is giving to me?  Those are both questions I don’t have the answer too.  I will need to spend some time with God and ponder those questions.  I will ask the Lord to show me what is getting in the way.  What about you?  How are you doing resisting the temptations set out in front of you?  Are you letting those temptations deter you from keeping the commitments you said you would do?  

The ending of this verse is something I hadn’t really though of before.  “But with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  This is an interesting way of looking at temptations.  If I am reading and interpreting this correctly, the Lord is saying the temptation can also provide us a way to escape if we are able to endure it.  For instance, if we are a smoker and we commit to giving it up, our ability to avoid the temptation to smoke is our escape, our way out.  Resisting temptation is also a great way to see how dedicated you are to your commitment.  If you say you are going to give up sweets and then the first time you are presented a sweet you eat it, you probably were not that dedicated to giving them up.  

We usually assume temptations are from the enemy.  We assume the enemy is trying to keep us from doing the good things we have planned.  However, what if some temptations were from our Father in heaven to test us and see if we really meant what we said?  What if some of the temptations were from our heavenly Father to help us get stronger or to help us overcome something we need to overcome?  This verse tells us God will not let us be tempted beyond our strength, remember this the next time you are tempted.  The next time you are tempted whether it is by a cookie, or something a lot more serious, remember God has given you the strength to withstand the temptation.  You don’t have to give in to that temptation, you are stronger than you think.  The next time you are tempted try to pause and ask yourself, what is the purpose of this temptation.  Is it trying to get me off track, is it trying to teach me something, is it trying to build up my resilience or my perseverance?  Also remember that you are not the only one being tempted.  We are all going through it so be kind to yourself.  Temptation is common, you just have to decide what you are going to do with it.  How can you make the temptation work for you instead of against you?

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, you are so great and we are so grateful for you.  Lord, help us to recognize the power to resist temptation that you have given us.  Help us remember that power in times of need.  Thank you for showing us we are not alone and preventing us from being tempted beyond our strength.  Help us to endure these temptations Lord, and help us to escape.  Lord, you are amazing. You are the Light of the World, and the Word made Flesh.  You are the almighty one and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus.  I look forward to spending time with you again on Monday.  Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I.  Have a blessed weekend!