God will provide you with a way of escape when you are tempted – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Each of us faces temptations in our life that may take us down a path which is divergent to the way God wants us to go. However, God in his mercy will assist us in not succumbing to that temptation.

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. 1 Corinthians 10:13

He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to withstand it. He will provide a way of escape so that you can avoid being tempted. We are being offered help so that we can avoid sinning. God is truly a merciful God!

This verse is talking about temptation and how we handle it.

One of the great virtues – patience

One of the greatest virtues we can possess is patience. It is a characteristic which God has but it is one which few of us possess enough of.

This is what it says in James chapter 1 and verses 2 to 4 about patience:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language so sometimes it can help if we go back to that language. The word “patience” comes from Greek word “hupomone” which means “an abiding under”. It implies to stand one’s ground, to survive, remain steadfast, persevere, and also to wait. So the word expresses  the ideas of patience and endurance. Lack of faith will result in someone having impatience as they ae constantly visibly anxious when under trial.

Paul expresses well what it means to be patient when faced with temptation:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed;  Romans 5:3-5

Paul says he that he gloried in tribulations. He did not rejoice in experiencing trouble and persecution, but in having the answer to such trials – he knew the purpose of them. He realised that they were designed to mould characters fit for the Kingdom.

In the verse quoted from James (above), he pointed out that faith can motivate a man (or woman) to try extremely hard to endure trials – for they recognise the purpose of God behind them. A person is more inclined to endure trial patiently when he realises the objective of God behind these trials and as a result he seek God’s help to endure.

It is clear from the two verses quoted above that abundant patience is available to all of us. However, we can only acquire that wonderful part of God’s character by taking God’s way.

Joy

As we saw in the James verses quoted above, he says to experience joy when you are surrounded by temptations, as these temptations will try you faith, and the result of this test to your faith will increase your patience.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1: 12

The important message here is to endure temptations and the result will be an increase in patience.  But for how long must we endure? Just as long as God sees fit to let the trial exist. There is a blessing in enduring (and at the same time, enjoying) temptations. Through this means we can humble our hearts before God and thank him for these temptations and trials. When we face these temptations we should remember that they will enable us to grow in grace and the knowledge of God.

When tribulations come, do we really obey God’s Word and rejoice in them? If we fail to thank God for the tribulations, for the tests and trials, for the circumstances and conditions which are designed to bring us closer to God and His grace, if we object to God’s way of improving our relationship with Him, then our opportunity of an increase in patience and experience is gone and may never return. Let us remember the words of Paul in Hebrews chapter 12 and verses 6 to 7:

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 

God’s way

God’s way and His methods in dealing with us are always right. He is all wisdom, knowledge and understanding. His ways are perfect. If we wish to gain a victory over sin which we all face and then hope to be in Hid kingdom (where we can dwell forever with our Lord Jesus, then we must take the path of humility and obey God’s word without question. We are the creation and God is the creator so we should never be so bold as to question the wisdom of God. We are vessels created by God with the goal of being a vessel of honour:

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2: 20-21

This is a great goal for all of us to pursue – a vessel prepared for every good work.

The mercy of God

This brings us to the central verse we are considering in this article, It is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13:

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.

It is important that we clearly see that God is a just and merciful Father. He is perfect in his kindness and patience to all men, especially to those who have decided to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ. In these words in verse 13, God tells you that he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. He also says that with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape.

The only sure way of escape is by submission to the will of God. Also, we should bear in mind that those who are baptised (i.e. the children of God), have Jesus as their high Priest. We are told that he can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and who was tempted in all points like unto ourselves, yet without sin. Because of this we are given these reassuring words:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

When we are overwhelmed with problems that almost break you, it can be helpful to keep in mind these promises of God.

Waiting

God may not send help immediately, but this is to teach us:

By your patience possess your souls. (Luke 21:19 New King James Version)

or as the ESV says:

By your endurance you will gain your lives.

We must hold onto our patience and maintain our relationship with God. Then God will come in His own time – when he knows it is right.

Conclusion

Sometimes God may guide our feet away from circumstances we are not yet strong enough to meet. Sometimes He will strengthen us to meet the situation, not now as a temptation to sin but as a test of faithfulness. It is the responsibility of each one of us when we are faced with a temptation as to how we handle the situation. Even if we ask God to lead us, we cannot evade responsibility for what we make of the circumstances He leads us into.

The God who is faithful, and not let you be tempted beyond your ability (1 Cor. 10:13) does not necessarily remove the temptation, or adjust it to our natural strength, but he may provide the means to escape or resist it. As a result, we are invited to:

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. Matthew 26:41

This is what Jesus prayed in the “Lord’s prayer”:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew  6:13

We need to pray that we will not find ourselves in that situation where we are faced with temptation. When we do this pray we need to remember that God is there to keep us from falling:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, Jude 24

God can preserve us from the possibility of us sinning. His eyes are upon us, and He will help us if we seek His assistance. He will teach us to become surefooted so that we don’t stumble or slip.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10

As a result you will be presented blameless before the presence of his glory. This will happen in the future at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this present time, if in every way, we approach God in Faith he is able to:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 

What wonderful reassuring words….He is able to do far more than all that we ask or think.