Temptation

1 Cor. 10:13 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.

I have been listening to some sermons on temptation and trials lately. There are a couple of things that stick out in my thinking that have been helpful to me and may be helpful to you.

Notice in this verse that there is a definite article, or singular, way of escape. God has one right way for us to escape. Often I want to just jump right out of the temptation or trial, but God's way is often through it. Like Moses and the children of Israel coming to the Red Sea, there was only one way to escape; through the water. If Moses sat down before he left Egypt and tried to plan the best escape route, for sure this would not have been on the drawing board. But God not only used going through the water as the way of escape, He also used the water to eliminate the enemy at the very same time. God's way is so much better than all of planning; His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Te second thing I have been thinking about is that we need to exult in God. Exult-def;to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant. If I am finding my joy and delight in God and my complete desire is for Him, will there really be any strong temptation for me to sin? When we look at broken dirty cisterns for what they are, then we are not inclined to go stick our faces in them. We should be looking into the clean pure fountain of Christ, and that is much more satisfying than the dirty cisterns. The temptation goes away. Like the song, "The things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of HIS glory and grace".

For the fish to be interested in taking the bait, the bait actually has to look good. Our appetite, and diet, must be God's Word and fellowship with Him. Then the temptations won't have a big pull on our hearts. The only way to stay this way is to be reading the Word, praying and have fellowship with other believers. We have to stay plugged in.