"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
Although I know it often doesn't feel like it, the part about our temptations being "common to man" I think is a good thing to remember. It is easy to slip into feeling sorry for ourselves and thinking that the challenges we face are somehow worse than anyone else's... that we're unique in the world for having to face these things, and that we're the exception to the rule.
God always gives us a way out. That doesn't mean we can't get ourselves in too deep, but that's after walking past the escape hatch. And even then, God provides a way to turn around and change, and repent. Not saying it is easy, or that the path is short. But if we're trying to do what God asks, he will always help us on our way back.
The last verse talks about idolatry, and I was wondering what that had to do with the verse before, and then I thought... wow, pretty much every temptation that comes along has something to do with idolatry, because when we are tempted to sin, we're basically being tempted to put something before God. And when we sin, we're taking whatever that sin is, and putting it as a higher priority than God in our lives. That's the very definition of idolatry... trusting something else to bring us joy and happiness or satisfaction in our lives and not trusting God. Looking for answers in lifeless objects, or extremely imperfect mortal beings.
Today, dearly beloved friends... let's flee from idolatry. Let's remember that our temptations are normal, and that God knows how to help us through our challenges. Let's trust him above all else, and find the escape hatch. :)
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
Although I know it often doesn't feel like it, the part about our temptations being "common to man" I think is a good thing to remember. It is easy to slip into feeling sorry for ourselves and thinking that the challenges we face are somehow worse than anyone else's... that we're unique in the world for having to face these things, and that we're the exception to the rule.
God always gives us a way out. That doesn't mean we can't get ourselves in too deep, but that's after walking past the escape hatch. And even then, God provides a way to turn around and change, and repent. Not saying it is easy, or that the path is short. But if we're trying to do what God asks, he will always help us on our way back.
The last verse talks about idolatry, and I was wondering what that had to do with the verse before, and then I thought... wow, pretty much every temptation that comes along has something to do with idolatry, because when we are tempted to sin, we're basically being tempted to put something before God. And when we sin, we're taking whatever that sin is, and putting it as a higher priority than God in our lives. That's the very definition of idolatry... trusting something else to bring us joy and happiness or satisfaction in our lives and not trusting God. Looking for answers in lifeless objects, or extremely imperfect mortal beings.
Today, dearly beloved friends... let's flee from idolatry. Let's remember that our temptations are normal, and that God knows how to help us through our challenges. Let's trust him above all else, and find the escape hatch. :)
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