Our Pastor has challenged every member of our church to learn this verse. When I joined a Bible study group with the Navigators back in 1985, the first verse I memorized was this one. What is so important about this verse?
May I be so bold as to say, because “WE ALL” face temptation!
Friend, if you think you don’t face it you are deceived. Whether you are saved or lost, you face temptation. We all struggle with temptation. C. S. Lewis wrote a book titled “The Screwtape Letters” on this subject. I highly encourage every person to read it. Although it is a fictional story, it gives us a pretty good idea how Satan works. If one thing fails, he tries another. If that fails, he has another trick. Of one thing you can be sure, he is relentless. He will never, never, never, ever give up; at least not while you remain here on earth.
“But we are human and God expects us to fail” you might say. Okay, if that be the case, the next time your child disobeys you, you should not correct or punish them because they are a child and you expect them to act like what they are. Doesn’t hold water does it? Of course not! Let us turn back to our verse:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:13
Okay, okay, but what about examples? I’m glad you asked. In Genesis chapter 39, a man named Joseph is a Hebrew slave in an Egyptians house. His master has made him head of his household. A problem arises when the Egyptians wife begins to lust after Joseph. She approaches him several times until her lust consumes her.
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. -Genesis 39:11-12
How many of us could honestly say we would flee? Consider that Joseph is a slave. There is no mention of a wife until later. I’m sure he was tempted over and over for a moment of physical pleasure. He could have said “as a slave, I must do what I am told.” He could have found some excuse to do what he wanted. “A man has needs” you might say. Big question here:
“Do I care more about my desires, or God’s will?”
You have to make a choice. If we decide to follow Christ, He will not leave us to fight this battle by ourselves. Again, let us look at our verse:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:13
“So how do I overcome temptation?” Let’s look at the Master. Jesus Himself was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
’He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worshipme.
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. -Matthew 4:1-11
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
’He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. -Matthew 4:1-11
Friend, if you truly want to live for Christ, I beg you, please make it a priority to spend time in prayer and studying scripture. Paul said to put on the armor of God (Ephesians -20). We can only win the battle by preparation beforehand. If we do not get ready before the battle, we are doomed.
When you fail, and you will, do not give in to despair. Immediately repent and get back up. Christ died for this reason. No where in scripture does it say when we receive Christ we will no longer be subject to temptation. It says:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13
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