“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV).
This verse from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is often misquoted. Well meaning people misquote it when they seek to comfort those grieving the loss of a loved one or suffering a severe illness, or some other difficulty. They say, “Now remember, God has promised that he won’t allow more to come on you than you can bear.”
But this verse is not about the endurance of suffering. It is about temptation, and how to overcome it with God’s help. Paul was correcting the false notion that we have no choice but to give into temptation, or that our sin is somehow God’s fault. As James taught, it is not God who tempts us, “but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14). So, when we are tempted, rather than blaming God, or feeling that it is impossible to resist, we can call on Him to help us escape temptation’s trap.
We can pray as Jesus taught us, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In this way, we look to the Father to lead us on a path that stays well clear of those temptations that would overcome us and to provide a way of escape.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we often give into temptation, claiming that we can’t help it or blaming You for giving us the desire for it. Forgive us. Lead us away from such temptation and such thinking. Show us a way of escape that we might live lives pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.