Daily Devotionals

Pressure Point Week 2: Saturday

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

I am not a fan of roller coasters. I do not even like the kid roller coasters at Disney World. I have found that there is one type of ride I do love: 4-dimensional rides that make you feel like you are flying without actually going anywhere. While I will rarely ride a roller coaster, I will ride any 3- or 4-dimensional ride. I will ride any of these rides because I know that all I have to do is close my eyes, and I can escape from the effects of the ride. I know that there is a way out. On a much grander scale, Scripture teaches that there is also a way of escape when we face temptations. There is a way out of temptation so that we do not have to give in to our temptations and sin.

Paul addresses the reality of temptation in 1 Corinthians 10. "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure" (verse 13). This verse is full of hopeful truths. The first is this: we are not alone in our temptation. Our temptations are not any different than anything other people are experiencing. This means that our temptations are not tailor-made for us. They are not new. Satan is not creative in the way he tempts us. Because of this, we have power over them. We are not alone in our temptations. The second truth is that God is faithful. He never leaves us and walks with us through our temptations. The third truth is that God will not allow our temptation to be more than we can stand. That means that no temptation is strong enough to overtake us. Finally, the last truth found in this verse is that there is a way out of our temptation. This means that we are not stuck in our temptation. We have an option, should we choose to take it, not to give in. My friends, this should give you hope! God walks with us through temptation and offers us a way to escape.

Whatever temptation you are having, there is a way out. It's certainly not as easy as closing your eyes to escape a 3-dimensional ride, but Scripture promises a way out of your temptation. The question is, will you have the discipline to take that way of escape? You can have victory over any temptation you are facing. If you turn to Him and look for ways of escape, God will faithfully walk with you all the way through it.

Moving toward action

Take a few moments and think about the temptations you are struggling with. List the different ways to escape these temptations God has made available. When you know how God has provided ways of escape ahead of time, you can better take those escape routes when temptation arises.

Going Deeper

1 Corinthians 10:1-33

Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. 8 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.

10 When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. 17 I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. 18 They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.

19 The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.