Week 13, Day 3: Take Heed Lest You Fall

Today’s Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

There are a couple of verses found in 1 Corinthians 10 that stand out to me every time that I read through the chapter.  They are verses that stand as both a reminder and a comfort concerning our faithfulness before God:

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

–1 Corinthians 10:12-13

The first part of this passage tells us that we need to be careful about our attitude toward sin.  Sometimes we succumb to sin because we are simply too weak to withstand the temptation.  Sometimes, we succumb because we think we are so strong that we decide we don’t have to worry about sin and temptation any longer.  Both attitudes cause us to be very vulnerable to the temptations of Satan!  The more dangerous may be the latter just because we tend to tune out the temptations as being a problem for us.  So, we say things like, “I am strong enough to avoid the temptation to drink…I can go to the bar with my friends.”  And we might say, “I can avoid the temptation to use profanity”, and then we surround ourselves with vile communications from the radio and television.  Or, we might say, “I can avoid the temptation to commit adultery or fornication”, so we put ourselves in circumstances that are not wise.  Paul’s warning should be a red flag to us–when we think we are strong enough to overcome all temptation all by ourselves, that is when Satan will strike us.  When we think we are strong, that is perhaps when we are the weakest!

The second part of this passage relates to us the fact that God is there for us.  He is watching out for us, and like Job, will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.  He makes sure that we are able to overcome, and that the way of escape is present.  That doesn’t mean that we always see the way of escape.  And, it certainly does not mean that we always take the way of escape.  But, we should find comfort in the fact that it is there!  Often, when we have given in to temptation and sinned, we can look back on the situation and clearly see that God did indeed provide a way to escape without giving in.  It may have been difficult to see at the moment, but it gives us confidence to look even harder for it the next time.  Perhaps, we don’t see the way of escape on many occasions just because we are not looking for it.  We have to open our eyes, trusting in the Lord, and we will find that way of escape.  But, we have to want it.

If we keep this passage in mind, it can serve as a great comfort to us.  We know, as we live life day by day, that we will face various trials, tribulations and temptations.  But, if we put our faith and confidence in God, we know that He will take care of us, providing the escape for all temptations.  We know we do not have to give in.  We know that He is watching over us, and that He has promised to give us this help.

So, as you go about your daily activities, remember God’s promise.  And, remember that God cannot lie.  He said there is an escape.  Open your eyes, and look for what God has provided!

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