“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. To be tempted is not a sin, as Satan tempted Jesus, but to allow that temptation to linger and to fall into it is to sin. Here Paul writes that God is faithful to us. He will not leave us to our own devices and He will not allow temptation to be stronger than what we can handle. God gives us a way to escape temptation. It may not be easy, but God did not say that it would be easy to get away from temptation. Temptation is like bait on a fishing hook, Satan uses it to draw you in. For some they may be tempted to swear, they may be tempted to get drunk, they may be tempted to do illicit drugs, they may be tempted to look at things they shouldn’t. No matter what the temptation is, God will provide a way of escape. He may have us quote Scripture, He may have us simply say no, He may have us bite our tongues, He may put a picture of the cross in your mind. Whatever way God gives you, take it. You will know the way God is providing for that moment. It may come to you in a still small voice, but it often seems as obvious as a mighty rushing wind. The more you use God’s way of escape, the closer you will grow to Him, and the more you will trust Him. God Bless!
