Always an escape
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation! It seems like it is always out there haunting us. Whether it’s big or small, it is still a trick of the devil to lead us off course. Temptation is the lure that draws us into the enemy’s trap to be devoured by him! We know from scripture that Satan is like a roaring lion looking for those he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Today’s scripture says, there are no new tricks. Satan is still using the same old lies he used in the Garden of Eden, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16) Every one of us has been subjected to them at one point or another. Whether it’s something we see that we just have to have, something we feel that pushes us over the edge, or the desire for power and fame. However, we do not have to give into these deceptions. Often, we rename these things and call them: addictions, desire, ego, even television and social media. The bottom line is anything can fall into these categories that steal our heart away from God.
So, what’s the solution? God’s faithfulness! The passage says God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist it. You can count on it! God wants to protect us from the enemy’s jaws, so He has given us a way to escape and it starts in our thoughts. If you are allowing the lust of eyes, flesh, and pride to dominate your thought life, you are going to struggle with every temptation that comes your way. James 1:14 says, we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires and enticed (aka thought life). This takes us back to what we are putting into our hearts through our eyes, ears and even what is going in our mouth, or coming out. What are you feeding your spirit? This is why I cannot stress enough how important it is to put God’s Word into your heart every day. Have a daily diet of the Word and then meditate on it and keep it in your heart and thoughts and on your lips often. The Bible says to meditate on it day and night. (Psalms 1:2) What? Is that even possible? Well, I’ve concluded that we are always thinking about something. Our brain is always going. It is our responsibility to direct and take authority over our thoughts and not give them the ability to control us. When your thoughts are in control of your life, you will fall into temptation every time. By letting your spirit purposefully direct your thoughts to God’s Word, God’s plan and God’s purpose, then you will allow the Spirit of God to be in control and that is where your escape route is.
Today I want to encourage you to take inventory on your thoughts. Recognize which thoughts you are following and which thoughts you are initiating. It is totally up to you. This is good news because you have the power to replace tempting thoughts with the Word of God! Have a verse for each day ready to put in the place of these unwanted thoughts such as worry, doubt, confusion and fear. Putting a plan in place will assure your victory every time!
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
3 all ate the same spiritual food,
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;
9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
The Daily Dose 