Good Morning!
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Co 10:13)
I memorized this verse 56 years ago as part of the Navigators Topical Memory System (108 verses), put together by Dawson Trotman. He founded the Navigators during WWII. The verse was and is a great help to me and since you may be as prone to temptation of various kinds as I, you too may have a great need to memorize it.
Get a pack of 3x5 cards and cut them in half (3x2 ½ ). Write the reference at the top and bottom of the card and repeat the reference before and after the verse. Mark verses in your Bible (make an M and circle it beside the verse. Draw a vertical line beside the verse.) Copy these verses onto cards for future reading and memorizing. Your BIBLE MEMORY BANK.
There hath no temptation taken you. Some people think nobody has ever been tempted or tried as they are. "Nobody understands how bad I'm tempted." That's an honest feeling. You may actually feel that way at times. But others have been tempted just as bad as you. But God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to handle. Consider this:
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:15-16)
Come boldly to the throne of grace. The fact that we have a great high priest who was tempted in all points as we are should encourage us to hang tough and pray it through to get help from God. It is encouraging that God has promised to make a way of escape for you.
One writer said it like this: "God always makes a way of escape and sometimes the way of escape is the king's highway and a good pair of heels." In other words, let the Devil see your heels—run as hard as you can to get away from the temptation. That may be true but we know at other times the Bible says: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7) I had rather watch the devil run as to run myself. And yet there's this little story that plows close to the corn:
A little boy was in the pantry. His mother heard a noise because he had taken down the cookie jar. She said, "Willie, where are you?" He answered that he was in the pantry. "What are you doing there?" He said, "I'm fighting temptation." That may not be the best way to fight temptation. He would do better outside the pantry where he can get a better perspective. The teen couple that gets in the back seat of the car to pray for God's help in fighting temptation might do well to first pray for God's wisdom.
Jesus said: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mar 14:38)
The ultimate help in fighting temptation is God, Himself. To get that help we will need to go by His word and way.
From the Broadman Hymnal (© 1940) I learned this song before my teen years and I still think it's one of the greatest ever written.
Yield Not to Temptation (by Dr. H.R. Palmer, words and music) (A flat) (Sing in F with the men leading and the women singing harmony above them.)
Yield not to temptation, For yielding is sin; Each victory will help you Some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
Shun evil companions, Bad language disdain; God's name hold in reverence, Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, Kind-hearted and true; Look ever to Jesus He'll carry you through.
To him that o'ercometh, God giveth a crown; Thro' faith we will conquer, Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, Our strength will renew; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
CHORUS
Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen , and keep you;
He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through. Ω
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