“No temptation {test} has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted {tested} beyond your ability, but with the temptation {test} He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13).
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quoted that verse! This is the verse people are referring to when they say, “I know God won’t put more on me than I can handle…”
But recently I read the NEXT verse! It puts 1 Cor 10:13 into the proper context as an encouragement and command. “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10:14). It’s those last three words to focus in on… FLEE FROM IDOLATRY.
EVERY test and/or temptation is first and most importantly a test to find out if GOD is #1 in our life… heart… mind… & soul (Deut 8:2; Deut 13:1-3) . Did you get that? EVERY temptation boils down to whether or not we love GOD above ourselves and everything in this world! Not only that, HE may very well be the author and initiator of the test (Click Deut passages above if you skipped over them!). Now for a few bullet points to consider…
1. You are NOT the first one to be tested OR tempted. Adam & Eve were tempted… so was Jesus… so don’t be so surprised.
2. GOD is in control of whatever you go through. HE will not let you be overwhelmed.
3. Along with whatever you go through, GOD will provide you a way to overcome the test… and the escape isn’t hard (Next point).
4. Since the test has to do with idolatry (10:14), “the escape to endure” is God Himself! Flee to Him!
5. Fleeing to God looks like this: A) Seeking Him through Scripture {I suggest Romans 8, Psalm 37, Psalm 119, and 1 Peter}. B) Worshipping God in both a congregational setting {Go to church!} and privately. C) Seek God diligently through prayer as you read the Scripture and worship.
6. The testing of your faith is a good thing… here’s why: It produces endurance & maturity (Ja 1:2-3); God conforms you to Christ (Ro 8:29); It makes you holy (Heb 12:10-11); It increases your reward in heaven (2 Cor 4:17).
So when you enter a time of testing, in reality the same thing is happening that happened to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Not only that, Satan is proposing the same test to YOU that he proposed to Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11… “Worship ME!” Like Jesus, we must say “NO! God alone will I serve and worship!”
You cannot overcome temptation UNLESS you flee to God. Do it!