Encouragement We Must Apply – Marti Wiegman

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “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 a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

No temptation is exceptional.  Don’t be filled with shame!  Temptation is common to all of us.  Have you ever been in a small group, and someone shares a prayer request related to a temptation or struggle and you think, “Wow!  Someone else has that problem, too?”

On the other hand… Don’t think you have an excuse.  Temptation is common to all of us.  Don’t think, “I know you’re supposed to be kind, but you don’t know how impossible this person is,” or “I know you’re supposed to forgive, but you don’t know what this person did.”

No temptation is beyond your ability to resist.  God is a faithful God and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability as you humbly rely on him in faith.

God will always provide a way of escape.  Have you ever had it in your mind to commit a sin, and God takes the opportunity away at the last second?

Therefore, my beloved, flee!  Every temptation will either be acted upon or resisted.  The only way to extinguish temptation is to run – the sooner the better!  Nip it in the bud!  Refuse to sin while it is still a thought in your mind!

Sow a thought, reap an action.  Sow an action, reap a habit.  Sow a habit, reap a character.  Sow a character, reap a destiny.

The destiny Paul desired for the Corinthians and for us is that we would not be disqualified but that we would know every opportunity and every blessing that God desires for us.

Paul closes chapter 10 with this thought: Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.