Overcoming Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 ‘No temptation has overtaken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.’

Since the first temptation in the Garden of Eden, every person has had to deal with various kinds of temptation. Adam and Eve were tempted by the ‘serpent’ to disobey God, and because of their disobedience all humanity became a ‘fallen race.’ Because we are born with a sinful nature, we are naturally inclined to yield to temptation. A common belief, outside of the Christian viewpoint, is that people are born with a tendency to do good rather than evil. However, a child never has to be taught to misbehave or do bad things – it comes naturally. And until a person is transformed by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, there will always be some temptations that will be irresistible. Our verse today reminds us that, although our temptations may often seem unique to us, and our situations, there are none that have not been experienced by other people. Each temptation is a test or trial allowed by God for a specific purpose – to grow our faith and help us become more Christlike in our spiritual walk. And although God allows temptations to test us, He Himself will never tempt or entice us to do wrong.

As with every challenge in the Christian life, the key to victory is the faithfulness of God. In this verse God assures us that He is faithful and will not allow any temptation to come our way that, with His help, we are not able to bear. God knows the maturity of our faith and our willingness to trust Him in every situation. Not only will He limit the extent and severity of our temptations but He will also make a way of escape. 2 Peter 2:9 tells us that ‘the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.’ We will never avoid having to face temptation while on earth, but we can rest assured that when our days on earth are over, our temptations will end as well.

What is the difference between temptations and trials?
How do temptations affect our relationship with God?
How can we lessen the numbers of temptations we have to deal with?