Resisting Temptation

"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." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

It is important to remember that temptation itself is not a sin; giving in to temptation is the sin. Even Jesus was tempted. Every believer faces the pull of sin, but the promise of Scripture is that God always provides a way out. You are never trapped without an escape route.

The enemy wants you to believe that your temptations are unique, weird, or overwhelming, and he wants you to feel isolated in your struggle. But Paul reminds us that what we face is common to humanity. You are not alone in this fight. More importantly, God's faithfulness is the guarantee of your victory. He limits the intensity of the temptation to what you can handle with His help, and He always provides an exit. The exit might be a phone call to a friend, walking away from the computer, or simply saying a prayer. We must be looking for the door He opens.

I have learned that the best time to plan your escape from temptation is before you are in the middle of it. When I struggled with anger, I realized I needed a plan before the heat of the moment. I decided that when I felt my blood pressure rise, I would take a walk. That simple way of escape saved me from saying many regrettable things. Having a strategy in place makes all the difference when the pressure comes.

Identify your biggest area of temptation right now. Create a specific plan for how you will respond the next time it comes. Write down your escape route and commit to taking it.

Lord, thank You for always providing a way out of temptation. Give me the wisdom to recognize Your escape routes and the strength to take them immediately. Keep me close to You and protect my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.