No temptation has taken hold of you except what is common to mankind. But God is faithful—He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. But with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, TLV

Escaping Temptation?       Has anyone ever said to you, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.”? That saying — which isn’t Scriptural — might be a misinterpretation of today’s verse.

Here’s the thing, at some point the world will give us more than what we can handle — guaranteed. But here is the truth, “I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, TLV, emphasis mine)

Perhaps a better way to say it is, “The world can’t give us more than what God can handle.”

Temptations

There is no temptation beyond our ability—and choice—to escape. In fact, He provides the way of escape, if we pay attention.

How do we identify temptation? Discernment. Can we develop discernment? Yes! By living Proverbs, by studying the whole of Scriptures. [Just a reminder there is an archive of over 1,000 Proverbs’ devotions on this website.] Reading, studying, and living Proverbs is lifechanging — it sure was for me.

Once we identify a temptation, God has given us His Spirit to help us through any temptation. We can overcome that temptation with the LORD’s help. If we pay attention, we will see the way out that God provides.

The Little Temptations?

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13, TLV

When Yeshua gave us the template of how to pray, this petition is nestled in between a petition concerning forgiveness and an admonition concerning forgiveness.

“For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15, TLV

I don’t believe this placement is a coincidence. As followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and His Son, those “big” temptations like adultery, fornication, murder, theft, etc., hopefully are easy to reject, right? It’s those sins of unforgiveness for hurts, sins, and offenses against us—and those we love—that trip us up. To be tempted to hold that sin, offense, hurt against someone is pretty—well—tempting.

Being aware is an important step in our overcoming temptation.

Therefore submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7, TLV

The Battles

There are battles we fight with the LORD’s Right Arm, like temptations. And there are battles that only belong to the LORD. Knowing the difference means using that discernment muscle, which comes by ____ [fill in the blank]. Right?

Think More About It

How do you handle temptations? What lessons have you learned through overcoming temptations? Or succumbing to them?

Until tomorrow, may we resist the enemy so that he may flee, my friend.

Praying for Israel

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have zeal for God—but not based on knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:1-3, TLV

 Great prayer. Praying for those who have great zeal for God, but not based on knowledge. What verse or concept speaks to you as you begin to pray for Israel? For me, it is that this zeal for God by those who do not know His Son, our Redeemer, would be redirected to truth as proclaimed by the prophets and fulfilled in Yeshua. And you? God bless you!