So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Yesterday we talked about how testing is inevitable in our time on earth. There’s nothing we can do to fully escape being tested. But that doesn’t mean we can’t overcome temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit within us. So with yesterday’s devotion in mind, let’s continue talking about how to overcome the struggle of temptation.
Not only will we continue to be tested on this side of heaven, but we will be tempted as well. Paul is saying in today’s key passage that temptation is the oldest trick in the book. It comes with the territory. It is a part of everyone’s life. General temptation is common to everybody, and specific temptations are common to somebody. In fact, the Bible is full of every conceivable temptation that you can imagine and practically everybody struggled with it including some of the greatest people of the Bible: Abraham, Moses, David, Paul and even Jesus were all tempted.
There are people that get the idea that once you surrender your life to Christ temptation becomes a thing of the past. The truth of the matter is that when you truly decide you are going to get serious about Jesus, you will probably face more temptation and face temptation more than you ever did before you decided to become a follower of Christ.
Temptation is not removed when you become a Christ-follower. In fact, the moment you become a follower of Jesus, you become an enemy of Satan, and you get put on his most wanted list as public enemy #1.
But the good news is, even though I know I am going to be tempted, I also know that God can be trusted to make sure I will never face a temptation that is greater than my ability to handle it.
Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” When you pray that, God is faithful, and He will answer it. I saw a bumper sticker one time that said, “Lead me not into temptation – I can find it myself.” You don’t have to worry about finding temptation. Temptation will find you! But, when it does it will not be a temptation so strong that it gives you a beatdown you can’t resist. God can be trusted to lead you out when temptation tries to pull you in.
Dear Lord, even though testing and temptation are inevitable, I know that there is always victory to be found in you. Help me to remember that you can always be trusted to help me overcome any temptation that comes my way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Temptation
