“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.”—1 Corinthians 10:13 (CEV)
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. He tells them; “You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” Temptations in our life aren’t any different than the people in Corinth. They were tempted to follow other gods. While ours may not be physical gods, we have other things we may put higher than God in our lives.
What temptations cause you to get distracted? I don’t know about you, but my phone, iPad, or computer can take me down a rabbit hole. We recently booked a river cruise with a group of friends to take in 2027. I cannot even guess how many hours I spent researching and watching videos about different cruise lines.
I rationalized. I need to be a good steward of your money and pick the right cruise…While this may be true, if I am totally honest, I would get sidetracked and watch other unrelated videos. I might have started out on Instagram or YouTube searching the cruise line, but inevitably, I would click on something that had nothing to do with river cruising. The next thing you know, it is time to cook dinner. How did I just spend so much time on social media???
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we will experience temptations. It says nothing about them being easy to overcome. However, God is faithful to help us through them. Scripture provides us with the tools for right living by making it the anchor for our thoughts and choices.
Knowing Jesus doesn’t make us immune to temptations. However, we have the power through the Holy Spirit to call on to help us. The enemy knows he has no power over us because Jesus is within us. With the indwelling Spirit we are given the power to not only recognize sin but also resist it.
God will never be the source of our distractions. Our own desires are what draw us away from Him. The enemy can’t make us sin, but he knows our weak areas. He will appeal to the longings of our heart.
God is always available to deliver us from whatever temptations we may encounter. When we seek Him for help, He will provide a way for escape. What a loving an amazing God we have. He loves us so much He gave us a prayer for it in Matthew 6:13; “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” This is a simple prayer I have in my arsenal to use when I recognize I am going down a rabbit hole.
Father God,
Forgive me when I spend more time on social media than in Your Word. Thank You for the Spirit within me that helps me recognize and resist sin as it creeps into my life. When I am tempted, I ask for wisdom to turn from sin. Your Word tells me when I call on You, You will deliver me from the evil one. Thank You that each day is a new day to recenter on Your will and ways for my life. May I use my time wisely this week in ways that glorify You. I pray these things in the name of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
August Verse
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”—Proverbs 3:3 (NASB)
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