Written by Paul BeckwithPosted in WODsJanuary 27, 2008
WOD
Rest
“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, that you may be able to endure it” (I Cor. 10:13).
Have you ever studied temptation? Why should you study temptation? Perhaps because you are so susceptible to temptation. Remember; though temptation is not a sin, does sin occur without temptation’s offering?
Your heart is temptation’s incubator: “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Js. 1:14f.). Paul provides you with five comforts concerning your ongoing battle with temptation.
First, every temptation offering itself to you “is common to man.” That is, myriads of others have faced the same temptations you face today, so your battle is not uncommon. Just as others have overcome life’s daily temptations, so can you. After all, Jesus was tempted in all things just as you are, and yet He was without sin (Heb. 4:15). You put on Jesus’ armor and you can withstand temptation’s offerings (Eph. 6:10-13).
Temptation is seldom obvious in its assault – it is a silent butcherer. Most people’s problem is that temptation has already overtaken them and they do not even know it – the lion clandestinely pursues his victim (I Pe. 5:8).
Secondly, “God is faithful” to protect His sons and daughters. Though God’s sovereignty never excuses man’s personal responsibility, Paul says that Jesus “shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 1:8). As you walk more closely with your Lord, the temptations shall increase in number, intensity and deceptiveness. Nonetheless, God is in control: “He who began a good work in you will perfect until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Thirdly, God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” He husbands the temptations so that their overtures never exceed your adequacy to resist. Your responsibility is to persevere in righteousness to the fullness of your adequacy. Unwillingness to persevere burglarizes your adequacy.
Fourthly, God “will provide the way of escape.” The problem with most Christians is their refusal to access the way of escape. There are several effective means to escape temptations:
- Righteous prayers (Mt. 6:13; Lk. 22:40)
- Pure associations (Ps. 1:1)
- A godly mental attitude (Prov. 23:7; Ro. 6:11; Eph. 4:27)
- Discerning judgment (I Jn. 4:1)
- Do the good works accompanying righteousness (Ro. 12:21)
The final comfort Paul contributes is that God enables you “to endure it.” Cowards yield to temptation because they distrust their Holy Spirit to enable them to persevere. This cowardice evidences distrust in God’s provisioning grace. Yet God has promised you an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven (I Pe. 1:4).
Temptation is an actively aggressive ever-present influence. Choose to do battle with the goal of conquering the temptation and never accept a single failure as final (Prov. 24:16).