1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1. Temptation is a common experience.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…”

Everybody is tempted. There isn’t such a thing as a Christian who is never tempted. Temptation will always be a part of our life. This is not an article on how to get rid of temptation. This is an article on how to deal with it. We all face temptation. Nobody is exempted.

2. Temptation is in a controlled environment.

“but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able…”

Being tempted itself is not evil. Jesus, Himself, was tempted. Now, to yield to temptation is evil. Everybody is tempted. The Bible never says or gives us hope that we will be free of any temptation, but it does offer encouragement in order to fight it! The more mature you become in Jesus Christ, the greater the temptations will be. Maybe you think that if you can get at a certain level of spiritual maturity, then you don’t have to deal with temptation? Wrong! If you get to a level of spiritual maturity, maybe your temptation will be more subtle, but they will not be any less fierce. Temptation will follow us all the way until we get to heaven.

Remember, we should never blame God for temptation. God does not tempt us. He might test us, but He will never tempt us. To “tempt” is to entice or try to entice (someone) to do something that they find attractive but know to be wrong or unwise. To “test”, on the other hand, is an event or situation that reveals the strength or quality of someone or something by putting them under strain.

“Tempting” puts you in a situation where you’d fail. “Testing” puts you in a situation to gauge your strength, whether the result might be positive or negative. God does not tempt us. He, however, tests us. The adversary, the devil, on the other hand, has a more malicious motive. Therefore, always tempting us. The good news is, there is a way out!

3. Temptation has a way out.

“but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Whenever we’re tempted, God sees the temptation from the beginning to the end. He does not enter temptation the way we do wondering how its going to turn out. He already knows where it is going. The moment it begins, the way out is always and already available! The way out of temptation is always there. See Hebrews 2:18.

How do we do this? Here are some practical principles to keep in mind in order to overcome temptation:

  • Recognize the possibility of temptation. (Proverbs 16:18)
  • Request help in advance of temptation. (Matthew 6:13)
  • Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
  • Retreat from certain kinds of temptation. (1 Corinthians 6:18, Luke 12:15, Exodus 20:3)
  • Remove any means of sin far from you. (Proverbs 4:14-15)
  • Refocus your affection. (James 1:22)

To the Christians, remember that we are one temptation away from losing our testimony!

Today, if you don’t have the relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ yet, the biggest temptation that the enemy is doing in your head right now is to tell you to say no in accepting Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior. Set aside your pride and accept that you need a Savior today!

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36 (KJV)