Inspirational Sunday

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

Rae's Thought: This verse teaches us three things:

• No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. Tempted? You're not alone. When we're going through something - whether it's a temptation or hardship - it's easy for us to pity ourselves and feel that we're alone in our struggles. We're not. Men and women have struggled since the days of the Garden of Eden, when Satan tempted Eve. Even today, men, women, and children are constantly having to deal with temptation. We can take comfort in the fact that our own Savior, Jesus Christ, had to struggle with temptation. Though He didn't fall, He still knows what we're going through.


• And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Did you know what, as a child of god, you have the power, through Him, to resist any temptation that comes your way - just as Jesus did? No temptation you encounter will be more than you can bear. God knows what you can and cannot bear. If you can't handle it, He wouldn't allow it. Whenever temptation comes your way, remember you are stronger...not the temptation. You have power because Jesus has power.


• But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out that you can stand up under it. The Bible doesn't say, if. It says when, meaning you will be tempted. If you haven't struggled with temptation yet, keep living. You'll get to it some time in your life. Maybe even several times. Temptation is a given. Sounds depressing? It is if you're not a child of God, but for those who love the Lord...well, we've got good news. There is ALWAYS a way out. Always. You may say, "But, when I was tempted, I didn't see a way out. The temptation was to strong, so I gave in." First of all, see point #2. NO temptation will be too strong for you, no matter what it seems like. Second of all, did you care to look for a way out? Look for it. It's there. The question isn't is there really a way out; it's are you gonna take the way out or will you give in - not because you're not strong enough, but because you choose to?