Thread by @Tutsy22

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. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

#TutsyDailyScriptures

“No temptation.” I love that phrase. It covers them all. But the temptations that Paul is talking about specifically in the preceding verses are sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 10:8) and grumbling (1 Corinthians 10:10).

And they are the most dangerous temptations we face because they’re aimed at where we are weakest: our profound, pathological fallen selfishness. This is why Satan concentrates most of his efforts on them.

They encourage us to nurture a fantasy that the world we perceive is our world. And in this fantasy-world, we ought to possess what we desire and things ought to go our way.

The more we indulge this fantasy the more we want it to be true. It feeds and expands our sinful desire-appetites. It increasingly shapes our thinking and behavior. If not resisted and battled vigorously, we will eventually pursue as real an image we created.

This is idolatry, which is why Paul makes a connection btw these temptations & Israel’s golden calf a few verses earlier 1 Corinthians 10:7. We are not to play with these “common to man” fantasy-idols. They are lethal. They destroy people.They “[bring] forth death” James 1:14–15.

So what do we do when we feel like grumbling or when we’re enticed by some lustful indulgence? We look for the escape.

1 Corinthians 10:13:
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.

God promises to always provide an escape. But what kind of escape does he promise? God’s escape is almost always a promise to trust.
The temptation to sinfully grumble: if you can be your own god and have your own way you will be happy. Lies!

Grumbling is a form of rebellion against God. The way of escape is trusting promises such as,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

The temptation to indulge in sexual immorality is a forbidden sexual experience or the selfish use of someone else’s body for your own pleasure regardless of how it affects them will make you happy.

The way of escape is trusting God such as,
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Every escape will be slightly different. But it will be there in God’s word in the form of promises. When temptation hits, look for the promise.

Fighting temptation means trusting promises over perceptions. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Follow the promises of truth, not the appetites of error. Joy will come with the former and horrible regret with the latter.

And when we’ve failed and fallen into sin, we are invited to go straight to the cross where our canceled sin has been paid in full. There, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

So, let’s trust Jesus, “who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” Hebrews 4:15, will provide a way of escape Hebrews 13:5, far more powerful 1 John 4:4, & far more satisfying Hebrews 11:25–26 than what our “common to man” temptations are promising.

Shalom