The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Sherry Bartlett
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it” (1 Cor 10:13 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We cannot be oblivious to the reality of temptation. It is familiar to everyone. Jesus was tempted (Matt 4:1–10; 16:1, 21–23; Luke 22:28; Heb 2:18), and we also are tempted by the devil, the world, and our desires. Like Jesus, we do not have to succumb to temptation. We must have faith in God’s promise to provide a way of escape from enticements to sin.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Temptation is a part of human nature. No temptation is unique, and no one escapes the desire to do something wrong or unwise at one time or another. Many saints of God in the Bible experience temptation—e.g., Abraham, David, Job, Jonah, and Joseph. God knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. His faithfulness and grace enable us to endure temptation. We simply cannot do it in our human strength.
In our Scripture verse, Paul assures us that God promises to provide the way and power to escape when tempted. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation (2 Peter 2:9), for He promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb 13:5). Nonetheless, God has given us free will, and we are at liberty to accept or reject the means of escape He provides.
If, among other things: (i) we pray not to be led into temptation (Matt 6:13; 26:41); (ii) submit ourselves to God and resist the devil so that he will flee from us (Jas 4:7); (iii) hide God’s word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Ps 119:11); and (iv) walk by the Spirit so that we do not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16), then we can be confident of being victorious over temptation.
EXHORTATION
As we face temptation, Satan will want us to wallow in hopelessness and despair but know that Jesus helps those who are tempted (Heb 2:18). Our faithful God empowers us to endure. So, put your faith in God, and call upon Him, for His grace is sufficient for us to overcome all our temptations.
PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank You for the temptations we encounter, for through them, we experience Your love, grace, and promise of never leaving nor forsaking us. Thanks for the blessed assurance that You are our faithful deliverer. Help us, dear Lord, to draw closer to You through daily prayer and reading and studying Your Word so that we are equipped and ready to resist and overcome temptation. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.