Tempted, then FLEE

1 Corinthians 10:13-14

"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. Wherefore , my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."

In verse 13 we are promised that God will faithfully provide us a way out so we can endure the temptations that we face. Please notice that it is the way out that makes us able to endure. It is not that God limits the intensity of the temptation, so we have nothing to worry about. God does not originate the temptation, but He does control it. Although He does limit the temptation to what we can bear, He always makes good on the promise of a way out, when we cry out for a way of escape. Therefore, we are able to say NO! The purpose of seeing the escape route is that the person tempted may be able to face the temptation and escape without committing the sin. But we will not avoid the sin if we don’t look for that way out and escape, immediately.

But many people fail to read the very next verse (v.14), "Wherefore . . . flee from idolatry," which in this case is worship of self. It is anything, at the moment, that is more important than God. Notice the connection of temptations to idolatry. What we have not allowed to arouse our interest, will not tempt us. Any evil that we think upon, even fleetingly, can tempt us. Satan will see to it. God offers us a way out, but we can’t just wait around to flee. We must leave our idols behind and flee, get out of there immediately.

He declares that NONE of the temptations you will face are unique to you, but is "common to man," that is, they are all part of everyday life, part of living in this "untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). The excuse that, "nobody understands" is a lie, for the Bible says every one of us understands because it is "common to man." If others can live in victory, so can you. You can flee! He implies in verse 10:9 that those who do not flee from idolatry, God will refuse to help and instead may destroy them for their rebellion. To fail to take the way of escape is to choose the sin you are being tempted to participate in, therefore it is rebellion against God.

As He did in 1 Corinthians 6:18 regarding "fornication" and in 2 Timothy 2:22 regarding "youthful lusts," He did in this text regarding" idolatry." "Flee!" The Corinthians were not to view this matter casually and linger nearby; they were to flee from its presence. It is pride that causes one to say, "I can handle this." For that is depending upon the self. This text tells us the way to handle temptations is to cry out to God for a way of escape then look for it and Flee!

What idols of your heart keep you from fleeing the temptations you are facing right now? The desire to look; the desire to gossip; the desire to go or do what is forbidden? Is it pride, arrogance, selfishness, or the desire to please others? Perhaps it is feeling sorry for yourself and the desire to blame someone else. It is certainly the lack of discipline and the desire to live life as it comes, rather than choosing to deliberately live as God shows you to do. When God shows you a way out, will you leave your temptations behind and flee, or will you continue to focus on the sin you are being tempted to participate in?

Warning! Danger! Alarm! FLEE!