1 Corinthians 10:13 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. (NKJV)
Often times in life, many people feel trapped, confined or like they are living in a cave to the point that they have no way out of the situations in their life. There are various situations that make us feel that way; health, finances, relationships, and sometimes even our Christian walk. However, this scripture lets us know that there is nothing that we deal with in life that someone already has not dealt with successfully before. As a matter of fact, in Hebrews 4: 15 it tells us “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” What this scripture tells us in Hebrews is that Jesus is the perfect example of enduring temptation and being able to do it without sin. Many of us face various situations in which we are tempted to do that which opposes the word of God or we succumb to the pressures of life and do not seek God and find his promised way of escape. What 1 Corinthians 10:13 says very simply, that our temptations are real and that they are common. But God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to handle and deal with. There's a saying that God will never put more on you then you can bear and this scripture lets us know that this is absolutely true. God loves each of us and desires for each of us to have great success in our lives and fulfill our God-given purpose and destiny on the earth. However, it does not mean that we won't face opposition. It just simply means that when temptation or opposition becomes too much to bear because He loves us so that He provides us with a way of escape so that we might be able to still fulfill our purpose and our destiny and do it in a manner that is still pleasing to him.
Three very important things to examine in this scripture are:
1. Our temptation is common: What this means is that the temptations that we face in life somebody has faced to some degree at some time before. God has equipped human beings to be able to navigate human life in their day and time. While our temptation is common, with similar situations and pressures of life, we must also learn how to limit our temptations. Temptation works off of lust and desire. If we don't lust or desire a particular thing there is no way for us to be tempted by it. My mother used to make beets and I could not stand them. Therefore, I would never be tempted to eat beets because I have no desire for beets. However, my mother's caramel cake is a totally different story because I have a desire for it whenever she makes it. We all have temptations and while they are common they are not insurmountable. We must learn that while there are common, that is not an excuse to give in to them, but actually to let us know from the example of Jesus to exercise discipline in the areas of temptation. Jesus Christ becomes the example of being able to be tempted, but not giving in, in other words, to be disciplined in the midst of temptation. Jesus did not give in to anything and that is what we should strive to make common in our lives.
2. God will not test you above, what you're able to handle: I love this portion of the scripture because it lets me know that anything that is presented to me or presented before me I have already been equipped by God to be able to handle it and handle it with success. So no matter what situation we find ourselves in please understand that it is not insurmountable. It is not something that you cannot conquer nor have victory in; it is simply something that God realizes that you are well able to handle at this point in your life. Therefore, it is been presented to you to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37 lets us know that we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Whatever testing you’re going through God has already equipped you to conquer it not it conquer you.
3. God will make a way of escape for you: the beauty of serving God is that God will always provide for us away of escape so that we can still have success and victory in our life. We just have to learn how to look for that way of escape from Him. God’s escape route will always be consistent with His word. In other words, we will be able to move out of situations that become or seem to be a bit unbearable by still operating in integrity, having good Christian character, and obeying the word of God. We have to look for those windows, doors and those opportunities to come out from under temptations by the power of God and to recognize and realize when those situations occur. Often times it's an opportunity to walk away from the table, or getting a new revelation on our current circumstances. There are various ways that God speaks to us to show us that he is providing us a way out so that we can maintain and obtain the victory that he desired for us from the beginning. Sometimes however, that way out is to endure until the very end, because God desires to give us His reward. James1:12 says “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”
What you are dealing with is not anything new, it is not anything you cannot handle, and it is definitely something that when needed God will provide for you a way of escape so that you might still obtain victory.
Often times in life, many people feel trapped, confined or like they are living in a cave to the point that they have no way out of the situations in their life. There are various situations that make us feel that way; health, finances, relationships, and sometimes even our Christian walk. However, this scripture lets us know that there is nothing that we deal with in life that someone already has not dealt with successfully before. As a matter of fact, in Hebrews 4: 15 it tells us “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” What this scripture tells us in Hebrews is that Jesus is the perfect example of enduring temptation and being able to do it without sin. Many of us face various situations in which we are tempted to do that which opposes the word of God or we succumb to the pressures of life and do not seek God and find his promised way of escape. What 1 Corinthians 10:13 says very simply, that our temptations are real and that they are common. But God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to handle and deal with. There's a saying that God will never put more on you then you can bear and this scripture lets us know that this is absolutely true. God loves each of us and desires for each of us to have great success in our lives and fulfill our God-given purpose and destiny on the earth. However, it does not mean that we won't face opposition. It just simply means that when temptation or opposition becomes too much to bear because He loves us so that He provides us with a way of escape so that we might be able to still fulfill our purpose and our destiny and do it in a manner that is still pleasing to him.