Trust Meনমুনা

A Way Out

Read: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Think: Temptations. There never seems to be a shortage of temptation in our lives. While we tend to think only of “big” temptations, they come in so many varieties - from being sexually impure to snapping angrily at our children or from struggling with pride to eating too much of what we should not have. Temptations seem to be lurking around every corner at every minute and can become overwhelming. But God has promised that we will not be tempted beyond our ability, and He will provide a way of escape. While this verse is often misused to say that God will not give us more in life than we can bear, it actually promises that we will be able to withstand temptation and endure it. How is this possible?

We have the Holy Spirit of God living in us. “If we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). “The grace of God teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness” (Titus 2:12). We can “resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7). Just as Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by quoting Scripture, we also have the “sword of the Spirit,” the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). With these amazing resources, it is not much wonder that God promises to provide a way of escape. Too often I fear that we view ourselves as victims who are helpless in the face of temptation. Instead, we should remember that God has given everything we need to be conquerors and overcomers!

Apply: Of the many Scripture resources listed above to withstand temptation, which one(s) are you not using fully? As independent Americans, we forget that these promises are given to a community, and we are not meant to face temptations alone. Do you have a group of trusted people to whom you can be open and honestly share your struggles?

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace in my life. I know that I often fall short of your holy standard, yet I find forgiveness through Jesus Christ. When I want to be private and self-sufficient to fight temptation on my own, help me to be open, honest, and reliant on the community of Jesus’ followers of whom I am blessed to be a part. I praise you that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus, the One who has overcome the world! Amen.

(Clint Shondelmyer has been married to Tammy for 31 years and together they have raised three children to adulthood. Though not old enough, Clint and Tammy are privileged to be Nonnie and Poppy to two grandchildren. Clint has served as Pastor of Discipleship at Pequea Baptist Church  for 4 years.)