The Virtuous Life – Day 218 – 1 Corinthians 10-13 – The Way Of Escape – Growing As Disciples
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. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
Way Out
I know that you have provided me many ways out of temptation. Let me hear your thoughts on this subject. What you have to say will be very interesting. I will start with the most obvious way out of temptation. What’s that? I will not willingly allow myself to enter or remain in tempting situations. When, where, how and why I am most likely to be tempted is no mystery to me. Temptations rarely come out of nowhere. Temptations rarely sneak up on me and take me completely by surprise. So, the first and most important and wisest step I can take is not to enter or remain in tempting situations in the first place. You have given me the wisdom to know this to be true. Yes, I have. Can you say more on this point? Not only should I not enter tempting situations, but I need to get out of them immediately when they are upon me. Why is that? Lingering around temptation is the surest way to defeat. When you provide a way of escape, I need to take it immediately. That is correct. You want me to run from temptation, draw near to you and you will draw near to me. That is how I will resist temptation and submit myself to you. At the same time, the devil and all his evil will flee from me. So, running away from temptation is not enough. I must have a direction to run, and that direction is to you. Yes, as you draw near to me, and I draw near to you, and the devil and all his evil will certainly flee from you. There is no safer place to find yourself, than in my presence. I know that to be true. That’s good.
I have provided you another powerful way out of temptation that isn’t quite so immediate. Tell me about that. You want your word to dwell in me richly. You want to use your word to change my heart, transform my mind. and guide my life. Your word will make me able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Your word will make me able to live the life you have called me to live. Your Holy Spirit will take your word and use it like a sword to fight in me, with me, for me, and through me. Your word will help me to put off my old life in the world and put on and live out the new life I have in you. Your word will help me to resist temptation and fight against evil. Yes, it will. Thank you Lord, for the many ways you have given me to endure temptation when it comes my way. I will immediately take every way out of temptation you provide for me. That will be very good.
Lord, I know I will not experience temptations that are unique to me. This sin broken world provides temptations to us all. I will not allow myself to be placed in tempting situations. I will immediately take the way out of temptation that you will provide to me. Amen
Key Question… Why must you immediately look for the way out of temptation, that God provides, so you can escape it?
Living It Out… Immediate take the way out of temptation that God will provide for you.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will provide you a way out of temptation so you will be able to endure it.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has provided you ways out of temptation.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you take the way of escape the Lord will provide for you when you encounter temptation.
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