112. A Way of Escape
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
God promises temptation surely enough, but you will not be singled out for temptations different from what every other human experiences. But according to the faithfulness of God, He will keep you from temptations that are beyond our ability to withstand. God permits Satan to have his way with us but only up to the limits He has placed upon him. God says, as He says in the case of Job, “You may tempt him but only so far and no further.” And God knows our limits. The promise is such that none of us can reasonably say, “This temptation is too much for me to bear; please take it away.” When tempted, we can overcome.
The promise for us is that with the temptation He will make a way to escape it. We may find that way of escape and take it. We may really take hold of this promise and escape it. Because of this promise we can confidently pray daily that the Lord will help us overcome and escape it; He will lead us out of temptation. “Lead us not into temptation.”
We are weak; the flesh is too weak to resist, even as Jesus forewarned Peter: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” [Matthew 26:41]. But we are never forced beyond our control and ability. But when the temptation seems to be too strong for us and we are about to give in, we may turn to the Lord and look for the way to escape. “You can do this; I will help.” When we are weak then He is strong, strong enough to bear the temptation and overcome. We admit we are weak and we need help. We can ask for help, and God promises to give it.
You can do this. Hold God to His promise. Use the faith you have been given.