Seeking a Way Out of Temptation
By Emily Rose Massey
“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, NIV).
There I was at 2 AM, scrolling Instagram mindlessly once again and getting sucked into the black hole of “influencers” advertising product after product, sale after sale, deal after deal. It was getting so out of hand that I was clicking “add to cart” and hiding the packages from my husband when the boxes showed up on our doorstep a few days later. I knew it was wrong, but it felt the familiar temptation of impulsive buying. Though they can feel extremely hard to resist, no temptation is too strong for us to overcome. It is important to remember not to act solely on our feelings. God’s Word to renews our minds with the truth and wisdom we need to make healthy and righteous choices. The Apostle Paul referenced the self-control we need to overcome temptations we face in 1 Corinthians:
“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, NIV).
Intersecting Faith and Life:
God is faithful to help us walk in righteousness. He gives us the grace to walk freely from alluring and enticing sinful habits. If we allow our flesh to rule us, we will follow it into a pit of unrighteousness. There is forgiveness for us in Christ, but we must repent when we find ourselves continuing on a path of unrighteous choices. We may feel like the temptation is too much to bear, but God always provides us with a way of escape; we must ask the Lord to give us wisdom and spiritual eyes to see the way out. Personally, I wisely unfollowed influencers’ pages so the temptation of what they were sharing was no longer continually before my eyes.
The Holy Spirit is faithful to give us wisdom and guidance and strengthen us when we submit our ways to Him. He will convict our hearts, remind us of what the Bible says, and cultivate the fruit we have received, especially the fruit of self-control. As believers, we have received the fruit of the Spirit, and just like fruit in the natural, it must be cultivated. The longer we walk with the Lord and study His Word, the more our fruit is developed and strengthened within us. Therefore, may we continually ask for God’s help when we are tempted and trust He will help us overcome sin when we struggle.
Are there things you are trying to control in your life, but it is just leading you to lose all self-control? Do you allow your emotions or other people to influence your decisions and behaviors? My advice to you, beloved one, is to follow God and keep your eyes out for the way of escape He provides when you are tempted to sin. He knows what you need more than you do. Instead, trust Him with your entire heart, and He will mold it to look more like His.
Further Reading:
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Jose Luis Pelaez Inc
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Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
