Hope in Your Moment of Temptation lessons from

Hope in Your Moment of Temptation (lessons from 1 Cor 10: 13) . . . in Your Temptation (Lessons from 1 Cor 10: 13)

Background to the text (1 Cor 10: 1 -12) 1. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, . . . Israel Crosses the Red Sea Idolatry Sexual immorality Drunkenness Wonderings in the Wilderness Complains Murmurings Tested God Destroyed by serpent Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 12

But what shall we do then? Because we face these temptations almost on a daily basis: • temptations to sin (unbelief) • struggles with a particular kind of sin • murmuring against God when things seems not to fall in place as we expect • give up on our faith due to life’s challenges • tendency to forget about God in our times of wellness • struggles with health issues • marital problems • childlessness etc. HAVE WE BECOME HELPLESS AND VULNERABLE?

NO! THERE IS HELP!

1 Corinthians 10: 13 (ESV) 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.

. . . God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, Note: this verse does NOT say/mean God will not allow trials beyond ‘our ability’ to come upon us. 2 Corinthians 8 -9 “ 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ”

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. – peirasmos; meaning, a trial or temptation 1. Your temptation is real, but common. 2. No believer is above being tempted. 3. You are being tempted not because you are sinful. No! 4. To be tempted is not sin, but the sin is, to give in. 5. Your situation is NOT a surprise to God. He doesn’t tempt us but allows us to be tempted. (Job 1: 12; James 1: 13)

. . . God is faithful, and he will not let - easei; meaning to leave you be tempted beyond your ability v. His faithfulness will not allow us to be abandoned to temptation/trial v. This ability is the sufficient grace God supplies and not self-generated.

. . . but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape - ekbasin; meaning an exit A. There is always a way of escape/ exit from any kind of temptation B. Ways of Escape can include: 1. the encouragement gained from care cells 2. support from praying partners, 3. accountability partners and confidants, 4. keeping pure thoughts by letting the word dwell richly in us, 5. a complete flee from the scene of temptation, 6. taking encouragement from the testimonies of others who might have faced similar situations etc.

. . . that you may be able to endure – upenenkein; means to bear by being under • God will at times not make us totally come out from under certain situations. But he gives us the grace needed to endure such conditions. But why would He do that at certain times? 1. that we may not become self-conceited, 2 Corintians 12: 8 2. to lose trust in ourselves, 2 Corinthians 1: 9 3. to comfort others with the comfort we have received in our moments of temptation and trials, 2 Corinthians 1: 4 4. to become mature, James 1: 4

Is this your Cry ?

• God is Faithful and He will not let your temptation gain grips over you. You can stand! • Your situation is not novel. Many have gone through such and came out stronger and better persons. • There is ALWAYS a way out! Don’t give in! Seek for the way of escape.