Taking the Way Out

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.  1 Corinthians 10:13 

If you do an Internet search for the phrase, “I couldn’t see any way out” in the current news media, you will find a myriad of stories. It’s amazing how many “hopeless” situations people find themselves in. Unfortunately, that pessimistic view is sometimes used as an excuse for yielding to temptation: “I couldn’t see any way out.”

Viewing temptation that way ignores two things. First, with God nothing is impossible (Luke 18:27). Second, when it comes to temptation, God promises to provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). That puts the proverbial ball in our court; it is our task to look for the way of escape when faced with a temptation that seems too difficult to deny. When Paul wrote about “the way of escape,” he applied it to sins like idolatry, sexual immorality, secular involvements, grumbling, and testing God (1 Corinthians 10:6-10). So we know “the way” applies to our temptations as well.

When you are tempted to sin, look for the way of escape. Finding it is not usually the problem; taking it is.

He who avoids the temptation avoids the sin. 
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