"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE, FOR THOSE BEING TEMPTED"
1Cor 10:13 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.
A few explanatory thoughts:
1. What you are going through is not
uncommon. In fact, it's common to men. ( No temptation has overtaken you
except such as is common to man ) The idea here is pretty clear,
common, means, "after the manner of men", or "things belonging to men"
it's what we go through living in this world. Or, as the NLT puts it,
"The temptations that come into your life are no different then from
what others experience"
2. But, God is faithful, and promises,
that He willl not allow you to be tempted, or tried beyond what you are
able to bear. In other words, He will keep the temptation from becoming
so strong that you can't stand up against it. Now, that's a real
comfort. He is keeping watch over you. He knows what you can take, and
what you can't take. He will always take care to watch over you.
3. Here's another blessing and
comforting truth. God will also, always make a way of escape, ( not from
the temptation ) but, so that you can bear it. He does not always take
you out of it, but will always show you how to bear it. Or as the NLT
says, " He will show you a way out, so you will not give in to it" We
can count on Him to do so.
4. One last quick thing. 1 Cor 10:13
says, "God is faithful" What does that mean? It's speaking of His
nature, He is dependable. Constant. Unchanging, trustworthy, always will
do as He says He will do. You can bank on Him. He can be trusted all
the time.
A brief prayer:
Lord, Thank You for always keeping an
eye on us. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for guarding our lives.
Thank You for being faithful. And, thank You for your faithful
provision, that will always allow us and show us a way to bear the
temptation. To not have to give in to it. Who could do these things but
You. Lastly, Lord, we pray that You would also give us grace, and the
personal resolve to always take the way of escape that You show us. Why
would we want to be ill affected by the temptation, ( because, that is
what it would do ) Keep us from it Lord, and show us the way of escape.
In Jesus name. Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
