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. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
How to Fight:
- Focus on provision, then obligation. We're called to fight in the strength God supplies, not our own. Don't focus on how big or tough the temptation is... focus on what God has done for you through the cross of Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
- Remember the 5 big ideas. 4 are provision:
1. Every temptation you struggle with is common. You're not unique in your struggles. Everyone struggles... don't let the devil tell you you're worse than others, or fool yourself into thinking no one can identify with you. Jesus knows what it meant to be tempted.
2. God is faithful. When all else fails, God remains true. He will be there. Believe it.
3. He is restraining the magnitude of the temptation. You can beat it. God says so... He won't let you be tempted beyond your ability to fight... like a big brother or father against a playground bully. There's no contest here... though it may feel like one.
4. With the temptation comes the way of escape, so you can endure it. God has put an escape hatch in every temptation. There are a million ways to divert your attention or put distance between yourself and that temptation... but ultimately it comes down to this: God, in Christ, has given you the ability to escape...
Therefore, knowing these things, we move to idea #5, which is our obligation. In light of 1, 2, 3, and 4... we are called to flee temptation. If the temptation is common, and God is faithful, and it is within my ability (by His grace) to triumph, and He has made a way for me to beat it... then why would I not flee every temptation? Run far from the temptation of sin!
Fight in the Strength God Provides,
Keith
Posts
