No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and 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 ESV

 

          There are no new temptations in the world today.  Someone might say, “No one understands how hard it is to overcome my temptations.”  Truth is, there is someone that knows exactly how you feel.  Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  Temptation has been a reality in every person’s life since the fall in the garden.  But there is a sweet promise, “God is faithful!”  He knows your abilities and limitations and will not allow Satan nor his demons to tempt you beyond those abilities.  I dare say God has more confidence in you…. than you do.  You say, “I can’t,” but God says, “in my strength you can.”  Philippians 4:13  informs us “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)  We were never designed to face temptation alone.  God can see well into your future and is able to see the path you need to take to avoid the temptations that would overtake you.  This is called your way of escape.  However, many times we don’t always acknowledge Him that He might direct our paths.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 KJV  It doesn’t mean we will never be tempted, but God knows you and will never lead you wrong.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 ESV   So why does temptation seem so hard to resist then?  The answer is in James 1:14 (ESV) “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.”  When you set your mind on the thing of earth, your focus will not be on Christ.  (Read Colossians 3) Ultimately you find yourself making wrong choices and going down wrong paths missing you way of escape.  God does not want you to just exist in the Christian life but to endure by becoming victorious over temptation. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4 ESV.)

Have faith in God when facing temptation; He is faithful.

 

Because of His grace ~ Pastor David