S) "13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
O) There are so many key points to this verse. Really, there's a lot, but I'll try to be concise... We are, none of us, freaks. Every kid going through puberty thinks he's a weirdo. Every person who struggles with a sin thinks he's alone. "Divide and conquer" actually pre-dates Sun Tzu, because satan has been doing it for thousands of years. Getting us to feel like we are alone in our struggles is one of his primary tactics.
Also, God does not leave us to fight on our own; He's so faithful to always provide a way out. He expects us to resist temptation because He's given us the tools, resources, and strength to do it, if we'll choose to fight.
Plus also (Junie B. Jones, anyone?), fleeing from sin isn't just an option, it's often the best option! It is short-sited, silly, prideful, and stupid to subject ourselves to temptation, or to put ourselves in temptation's way, for almost any reason. There is no shame, whatsoever, for avoiding a party, a ballgame, a convenience store, or anything else, for the sake of avoiding temptation. We should be happy to tell people that we only buy slushees from the store that doesn't sell porn magazines - not because of elitism, but because we're avoiding temptation!
A) So, taking things as they are written, the first thing for me to do is to acknowledge and admit my temptations. I think this most often has opportunity or impact, when some one else is confessing to me. It's not that I shouldn't initiate confession, but it's especially important that I am holding up no facade when some one is being vulnerable with me. It's important that they know their struggle is not unique, as I also know. On that same knowledge, I cannot let feelings of being a weirdo prevent me from confession.
Next up, I need to be consistently leaning on God, seeking Him, asking Him to lead me. He is faithful to answer, I know. So, if I am genuinely seeking a way to avoid or escape temptation, I am quite certain I will find the answers He's giving.
Finally, I need to be smart about the positions I'm placing myself. I have no business in the XXX Church, because that is undue temptation to me. If there are brothers who can stand up to that, then God bless them and protect them, in Jesus' name. I need to constantly evaluate the pitfalls around me, to ensure I'm avoiding them as well as God has enabled me to... which is completely!
P) Father, thank You for being so good! How awful it would be if You simply left us each to our own devices, trying to live holy in a world so toxic. Holy Spirit, lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil, just as You did with Jesus. He is my model, and I want to follow in His steps. His innocense was a symptom of His humility, His submission, and His carefulness of action. Help me to walk the same way, God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Also, God does not leave us to fight on our own; He's so faithful to always provide a way out. He expects us to resist temptation because He's given us the tools, resources, and strength to do it, if we'll choose to fight.
Plus also (Junie B. Jones, anyone?), fleeing from sin isn't just an option, it's often the best option! It is short-sited, silly, prideful, and stupid to subject ourselves to temptation, or to put ourselves in temptation's way, for almost any reason. There is no shame, whatsoever, for avoiding a party, a ballgame, a convenience store, or anything else, for the sake of avoiding temptation. We should be happy to tell people that we only buy slushees from the store that doesn't sell porn magazines - not because of elitism, but because we're avoiding temptation!
A) So, taking things as they are written, the first thing for me to do is to acknowledge and admit my temptations. I think this most often has opportunity or impact, when some one else is confessing to me. It's not that I shouldn't initiate confession, but it's especially important that I am holding up no facade when some one is being vulnerable with me. It's important that they know their struggle is not unique, as I also know. On that same knowledge, I cannot let feelings of being a weirdo prevent me from confession.
Next up, I need to be consistently leaning on God, seeking Him, asking Him to lead me. He is faithful to answer, I know. So, if I am genuinely seeking a way to avoid or escape temptation, I am quite certain I will find the answers He's giving.
Finally, I need to be smart about the positions I'm placing myself. I have no business in the XXX Church, because that is undue temptation to me. If there are brothers who can stand up to that, then God bless them and protect them, in Jesus' name. I need to constantly evaluate the pitfalls around me, to ensure I'm avoiding them as well as God has enabled me to... which is completely!
P) Father, thank You for being so good! How awful it would be if You simply left us each to our own devices, trying to live holy in a world so toxic. Holy Spirit, lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil, just as You did with Jesus. He is my model, and I want to follow in His steps. His innocense was a symptom of His humility, His submission, and His carefulness of action. Help me to walk the same way, God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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