God Lets Us Be Tempted

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:13 Theme: God allows temptations but expects and helps us overcome them. Key verse: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.” What God said to me: Dwayne, you have got to make time for me and for journaling every day this week. NO excuses. Like your pastor said yesterday in his message (from me), when your time alone with me wanes, so does your fire and your burden for the lost. I also expect you to share your faith with people this week and memorize scriptures from my Word. Now, regarding today’s passage, yes, I do allow temptations to come on you — just as I allow you to be in this world. To walk through dirt means you will get your feet dirty. And to be in the world means you will come in direct contact with what the world says is important; you will come face to face with temptations of your flesh. I even allow the forces of darkness — perhaps Satan himself — to tempt you. Do you think yourself immune? Are you better and more special than Jesus my Son? He endured excruciating times of temptation. Yet, he overcame. He kept his mind and heart focused on me. He quoted my Word and ultimately remained submitted to me and doing my will above his own. So must you, my child. You have the same Spirit living in you that raised Christ from the dead. You have all the power you need to withstand every temptation and having done all to still be standing. I will never allow you to be tempted more strongly than you — at your present level of maturity and experience — can handle. If you fall, it is your fault and noone elses. You often consciously or subconsciously place the blame on someone else or on your circumstances. That only prolongs your inability to overcome and the inevitability of you falling yet again. I love you and am not punishing you by allowing these temptations. I have a plan and purpose in it all. But that plan is for you to become stronger and more successful in winning your battles, not for you to keep giving in and losing them. What I said to God: Holy God, it always amazes me how much inspiration and insight can be packed into one little verse in Your Word. I fully expected this day — because we only had one verse to focus on — would be shorter. But You know I needed to hear from You and hear quite a bit! Please help me not only hear You, but obey You today and all this week. I really do desire to become more and more consistent in winning the battles of temptation that come along. I know I can and must because of Your love and through Your power. Protect my family and church from Satan’s onslaught and help them overcome as well.