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 10:13 NKJV

When we see the word, “Therefore,” in Scripture it’s always a good idea to read the verses preceding it. In this particular passage, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth. In verses 1-12 Paul is talking about the sins of the Israelites in the wilderness and the heavy price they paid.

Church members are Corinth are living in an environment where they are surrounded by corruption. They are struggling with temptations like idolatry, immorality, legalism and spiritual immaturity.

Paul is writing to them to confront their sin. Now you may have heard it said, “God won’t give us more than we can handle.” This is what some people take from this verse. However, when it says God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, it doesn’t really mean He won’t give you more than you can handle. It means that He expects you to turn to Him for help. And we know there is nothing He can’t handle

When Paul says in verse 9, “Let him who stands take heed lest he fall,” he’s saying that we should never become overly confident in our ability to resist temptation. Pride is opening the door for the devil to bust in. We need God’s help.

Paul had spoken of some of the sin the Israelites had struggled with and the consequences they faced. He reminded them that temptation is common for all of us while we live here on earth. Then he reminded them of God’s faithfulness. Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As long as we lean on Christ and rely on His strength there is nothing that He will allow us to go through that will be too tough for us. We learn from reading the first chapter of Job that the devil can only go as far as God allows him to go.

Paul then assured them that with whatever temptation comes our way, God will always make a way of escape so that we can bear it. When we are tempted, we have many avenues of escape. The first is prayer. In James 4, James tells us that humility is the cure for sin. We must surrender and submit ourselves to God. In James 4:6-7 it says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” In verse 8, James tells us if we draw near to God, God will draw near to us.

The problem with sin is it is very appealing and we sometimes want it more than we want to please God.  When we get into sin, it can destroy us. There was a time when I didn’t ask God to help me resist sin because I didn’t want to resist it.

It would take several years, but eventually it would begin to eat away at my soul. The only way out was to surrender to God. When I did, He provided the way of escape, just as the Bible tells us He will do.

I know I write a lot about trusting and being obedient. I don’t speak of these two things lightly because I can tell you from personal experience, they are not easy things to do. They become easier, however, when you stick close to God through daily Bible study and prayer. Don’t even entertain temptation. When it becomes a thought, take that thought captive to make it obedient to Christ as we are told to do in 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Sin is appealing or no one would do it. Surrender to God and resist the devil. God will take care of the rest.

Have a great day!