The Way Of Escape
APPLICATION ARTICLE – A Practical Application of 1 Corinthians 10:13
Josh Welch | Kokomo, Indiana
Mankind’s ultimate enemy is, the “one who deceives the whole world,” Satan (Revelation 12:9). The ultimate choice we face between Satan’s allurements and God’s commands is the process of “temptation” (James 1:13-15). The ultimate result of our failure to obey God’s law is sin (1 John 3:4). The ultimate consequence of the impenitent, unforgiven sinner is an eternity in hell (Romans 6:23; Matthew 10:28). Our ultimate response is that we ought to be vigilant when temptation comes our way and seek God’s means to cure the sin problem (1 Peter 5:8).
God’s word is clear about the fact “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We cannot “say that we have no sin” or “we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). However, the fact we “have sinned” does not mean we must sin. We have a choice to overcome temptation. We have a Jesus who can empower us to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). The Hebrew writer states Jesus was “tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). He goes on to encourage us to pray to our “High Priest” and “find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). In Peter’s epistle, he encourages struggling Christians to “arm yourselves also with the same mind” as Christ (1 Peter 4:1). He immediately follows that encouragement, saying, “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). While sin is an inescapable past reality, this should not imply it is repeatable for all futurity. In fact, the apostle Paul argued, when it comes to temptation, there is “a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). This “escape route” is not a concealed secret, but a practical plan to battling our ultimate enemy. Let’s take note of this empowering text and apply some practical applications as we look for the ultimate escape from sin!
1 Corinthians 10:12-13, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 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.”
Overcoming temptations begins with being honest about ourselves. Paul says, “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (10:12). You may have a heart like David, boldness like Peter, obedience like Noah, wisdom like Solomon, and still fall prey to Satan’s snares. Let’s not view ourselves as super-Christians incapable of ever being put into a situation too tempting. This type of spiritual arrogance is the very type which often ends in shame. It’s the Titanic mentality; it is the Sardis syndrome (Revelation 3:1-2). It is a false air of invincibility. The most studious, eloquent of preachers have been brought to stammering tears by their own sins. The most distinguished of elders have brought shame upon themselves by hovering too closely to sinful desires. The sweetest preacher’s wife and elder’s wife can have a sour experience with evil. The strongest of marriages can be rocked by a weak moment in temptation. The longest tenured Bible class teacher in a church can be embarrassed by just a short-lived transgression. We must humbly be reminded we can fall. So, pray, as Jesus instructed, “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
It will help us overcome temptation when we quit thinking our situation is unique. Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man…” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When justifying sin, people tend to think their unique circumstances give them a special permission to sin. They look for the excuse instead of the escape. They justify stealing because they were in need, or lost their job. They justify the affair because of their miserable unhappiness. They may justify drugs and alcohol because they are trying to forget a painful history. They justify the sins of youth because of the overpowering peer pressure of evil companions. Often, the one caught red-handed in sin looks for an excuse to make their circumstances sound special and justifiable. The fact is, temptation to sin is a common thing. Lots of other people have money problems, loneliness problems, unhappiness problems, anger problems, friend problems, painful memories, and more. Lots of those people have dealt with those problems in a God-pleasing way. Our situation is not unique, but “common to man.” Quit making excuses. If you are looking to be unique, then handle your sin in a unique way (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul goes on to say we must have confidence in our faithful God (1 Corinthians 10:13). Looking at the earlier context of 1 Corinthians 10 we notice Paul uses various sins from the murmuring Israelites as examples of the types of sin Christians ought to avoid. He exposes idolatry, sexual immorality, and complaining as characteristic sins of the wilderness-wandering Israelite nation (10:7-10). Yet, what is interesting is how these same people were those who had been so blessed by the God who led them out of Egypt. Had they forgotten? Their backs were raw from the beatings of an oppressive Pharaoh’s taskmasters and God reversed the siutation, punishing Pharaoh through a series of ten plagues. As Pharaoh gave chase with the Egyptian army, God faithfully maneuvered His special people to the edge of the Red Sea and miraculously helped them cross into new land. As the people searched for food in the wilderness of Sinai, God gave them daily manna, sent them quail, and even delivered water from a rock. In other words, whenever the situation seemed desperate and hopeless, God was faithful to deliver His people. Yet, they still rejected the God who had been so faithful through many other hard times. Paul wanted his first-century audience to learn from these ancient mistakes (1 Corinthians 10:11). He says, “…all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…” (10:11). We must be warned not to forget the many times God gave hope to a hopeless people and how mistrusting God’s direction ended in destruction.
Additionally, it is comforting to know God limits the degree of our temptation. Paul says God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Before Madonna and Marilyn Monroe, the bawdy Mae West pushed the envelop on the Hollywood screen. Mae West once said, “I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.” West may have gotten a few laughs out of this one-liner but the statement implies a lie. We can resist temptation. This is the assurance of Scripture. Some characters of Scripture fell pray to temptation but others show us they had power to overcome temptation. Job faced a litany of disasters and tragedies which would drive many to their wit’s end. He faced financial loss, family tragedy and physical infirmity. Yet, of Job it is said, “in all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job 1:22) and “in all this Job did nto sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). Satan tried to expose Job’s weaknesses but God knew all along Job was a “blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8-9). God knows us too and Satan is never allowed to go too far. In every sin you have committed, was the choice you made impossible to overcome? If so, we could easily blame our sin on God. But, God is never to blame for our sins for He places limits upon the degree of our temptation here on earth (James 1:13-15). There is a way of escape. We must look past the test itself and to the means to overcome it.
Yet, finally, we must realize God gives us the strength “to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Bearing a load is neer easy. The soldier who trudges through rough terrain while carrying a heavy pack is not doing something easy. Yet, he is not doing something impossible either. Our heavenly Father does not let His children carry a pack which will break our backs. He gives strength to carry the load. It may not be easy to overcome the seduction of a co-worker when your marriage at home has been shaky, but keep your clothes on, go back home, and you’ve overcome. It may not be easy to avoid a lie when it seems like the easy way out, but go ahead and tell the truth and you’ve overcome the temptation. It may not be easy to turn down that bottle of beer when everybody else has one in their hand, but just grab a bottle of water and you’ve done it. It is not always easy to bite your tongue when your patience is being pushed to the brink, but keep those lips sealed, walk away, and you’ve done it. It can be done. Satan’s temptations can make life hard, but a blessing comes to those who choose the right and hard way instead of the broad and easy path. Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
As you face the temptations of life, may you think honestly about yourself, not over-exaggerating a situation many have overcome. Have confidence in your faithful God and trust in His providence to limit the boundaries aned scope of the temptation, strengthening you to overcome and find the way of escape.
* All passages quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
17.07.04 | GROW magazine
