1 Corinthians 10
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 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. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Cor 10:12-14).
There is so much wisdom in this chapter. I love the Bible and starting the day with it. And I love observing the life, thinking, and strategy of the apostle Paul. He knows the Corinthians face temptation. He wants to encourage them to endure temptation and not experience a huge fall in their Christian lives.
One of God's attributes is faithfulness. Faithfulness is following through on what one says one is going to do. Here, God is faithful to provide a way of escape in every temptation scenario that we face. If we give into temptation, we are responsible, not God. God is also fair. He will not let us be tempted beyond what we are able to endure. There is always a way of escape. We may know what that way of escape is, but it still takes determination and drive to take that way of escape. This is where our volition and free will comes in.
As I type this, I am now deleting the Facebook app from my phone. This is my way of escape this morning. Jesus says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell" (Matt 5:29-30).
Father, thank you that you are faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability. Thank you for always providing a way of escape for us to endure temptation and flee idolatry. We are like the Corinthians. They faced temptation all around them, and so do we. So help me and all of us to take heed lest we fall. Help us to take proactive measures to walk by the Spirit, abide in the Son, and live in fellowship with you. Help us to achieve little victories over temptation and build holiness momentum to your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman