“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.”
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
Temptations are the common experiences of every believer. It is encouraging to know that God deems temptation a common experience among Christians. No one is exempt from solicitation to evil. Temptations are not peculiar to us. There is nothing unique about our temptations. We are not the only one who ever went through that temptation. We say, “No one ever had such loss as I have had. I grieve over that mate who left me. That wayward child distresses me deeply. No one had such financial loss as me.”
Everyone has a turn at these things. We have all been slandered and misrepresented. We have gone through those half-truths and innuendos. We all get a little of this before we die. Misery likes company! We get our heaven at the end of life, not during this life. All the hell that Christians will ever know is right now. It will be here, not hereafter. All the pain, suffering, crying, gossip, trouble we experience here. All trouble we have is ordinary, not unusual. It is ordinary because everyone has it. We cannot get through life without trouble.
but God is faithful,
All temptations are under God’s control and personal involvement. Spiritual failure is avoidable. We face financial difficulty, but God is faithful. We are hospitalized, but God is faithful. God is faithful, no matter what happens to me. Sunshine or rain, peace or pain, God is faithful. God is faithful to His Word. He will never let us down if we belong to Him. God will send us into the fire, but He will bring us through. That is where our faith comes in. Whatever our trouble, whatever our trial, He will see us through it because of His immutable character.
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
God personally intervenes by His providence and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. The point is not that the Christian can reach a point of sinlessness, but God knows how much pressure we can take. He knows the straw that breaks the camel’s back. God will stretch us spiritually but not beyond our ability to bear it. Temptation is an opportunity to grow in our faith.
but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
In God’s providence, He personally makes a way of escape from temptation so that the Christian does not have to fall into sin. God specially designs a way of escape. The definite article” the” before both “temptation” and “way of escape” points to a particular escape. However, if we intentionally put ourselves in the way of temptation, then we put God to the test – and this is sin. But for every temptation allowed by God, He provides an answer. It’s like taking a test with the answers in the back! We draw enough grace for each situation.
that you may be able to bear it.
God provides the way of escape. It is God’s purpose to constantly test our volition in relation to Him. Every decision we make in God’s will demonstrates that Satan was out of line in his fall.
PRINCIPLE:
There is always divine provision for temptation.
APPLICATION:
The thing that makes the difference is not what we do about our temptation but what God can do about it. God is immutable. God knows that we all have different capacities to deal with problems. God designs every temptation for blessing and spiritual growth. God is faithful in testing and temptation. The great issue in it all is the character of God; He is immutable and faithful to His promises. God loves the believer who is out of fellowship as much as the believer in fellowship. He is faithful to both. When someone rebuffs us as humans, we want to reject him, but God never rejects us. God never blows his stack and so has to cool down later. He is always the same, so that He can be nothing but faithful.
There are three lessons about temptation:
Temptation is common to every person, so there is no temptation that is unique. No one can hide behind the argument that his sin is unique, and so he can be excused.
God controls the context of our temptation. We Christians are not alone in our temptation and can draw on God to deliver us.
God personally and providentially provides a specific way of escape.
Thank you for the easy to read break down of the word. I was truly blessed by it. God Bless, S.
Could this verse also be applied to a situation where God may not give you too much blessings beyond what you can handle? Many thanks
Motu, yes
Do you see a distinction between "testing"/difficult circumstances and "temptation"/enticement to do evil? Which is in view with the comment, "God provides a way out"? I've heard people use this verse to tell people in excruciating circumstances, "God won't give you more than you can bear." Do you agree with that statement? Or, would you agree more with the statement, "He won't allow an enticement to sin to be more than you can bear." or ..??
Tom, I do not agree with the idea that God always delivers us from problems right away. First Peter argues that God will place Christians under duress (e.g. 1:6-8; 4:12-13). The book of Job also sets forth this idea. However, the Bible does also present the idea that God puts limits on our suffering. Note, for example, this statement in 1 Pe 1:6, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials," The statement "for a little while" indicates that trial will not be perpetual; God puts limits on our suffering. It did not appear that way to Job for a time but his suffering eventually turned to blessing. The Greek for "if" is first class condition meaning that it is true that Christians will suffering; there is no question about it. The word "need" is necessary; it is necessary for Christians to suffer to build their character. "Grieved" carries the idea that believers will experience duress in their lives. "Various trials" show that Christians will sufferi physical, financial, mental or other kinds of sufferings.
The context of 1 Co 10 seems to indicate by the first part of the chapter that the primary emphasis is enticement to sin but, ironically, sin also creates hard times.
Thank you.
Hi, can you also substitute “temptation” or enticement to sin with “trial”, such as being in a very difficult life situation and not knowing which way to go? I have been praying to the Our Lady Of Knots to help untangle an impossible situation. Will it be helpful if I pray this verse for my trial?
We need to give our situations to God. He is not like people and will not get mad at you for messing up. God will guide you through with your love grace and mercy. Even though your parents might explode out of frustration for what you have done, God will love you.
Here is a Thanksgiving Blessing Poem I hope you enjoy it and it blesses your day.
God loves you
I know that to be true
He always thinks about you
He takes care of you when you have the flu
He makes you happy when you feel blue
That is why I thank God and why you should too
Now I’ll try to tell you
He helps us all the time
Even when we ball and cry
He helps us anyways
Even on our darkest days
I know this poem is sorta long
but bear with me and stay along
Give thanks in all you do
Even while we eat this delicious food
So, Lord, we thank you in all you do
For Christ knew the horrible things we’d do
Thanksgiving is so much fun!
I am thankful God sent is his one and only son
Jesus knew he would die
and his mother would cry
I’m so grateful Jesus died
Even though the Jewish leaders were hateful at the time
Jesus did not hold a grudge
Nor would he budge to save himself
He died so all us sinners
Could one day become winners
That is why we should be that thankful Jesus died
We love you and we are thankful for you Jesus
And I know that to be true
Andrew, better verses to pray would be 1 Peter 1:6-8 or 4:12-13.
What do you mean that hell is hear and now? That is not a biblical message (if you affirm the reliability, historicity and truth of the Bible). Jesus tells us that those who do not trust in Him will go there for eternal punishment where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. No experience on this earth can remotely compare to eternal separation from our Heavenly Father.
B, I am not denying the reality and stark nature of the existence of hell at all for non-Christians. However, my statement was made about Christians. Christians will not experience hell.
Very helpful post!
Thank you
Gary