1 Corinthians 10

Whenever I read this chapter or even think about it my mind goes back to the days as a young preacher boy (as my pastor called me) when he was discipling me for a deeper walk and ministry.  Along with several other factors such as quiet times, sermon note taking, and prayer Bro. David stressed the importance of scripture memory.  He had us make note cards and memorize scripture each week at our accountability meetings.  The verse he gave me to memorize which I thought I would never conquer was 1 Corinthians 10:13.  At that time the only translation we really knew much about was the King James, so that is what I memorized.  The verse to this day is still etched in my mind.  “There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (KJV)  While that was memorized initially some 30 plus years ago, it still sticks in my mind.

Why this verse, because at the time my life was in need of a constant, just as now.  I needed to know that temptation is not something I must face alone.  Temptation is not something exclusive to just me.  That God is faithful to enable a way for us to escape temptation, if we are willing to walk through the door of opportunity which He provides.  Why scripture memory, because the Psalmist said in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.” (KJV)  Part of the way to escape temptation is the quoting of scripture just as Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan.  (Side Note:  Satan will misquote scripture to you so make sure you know the Word of God.)

What is Paul saying through all of this passage, in particular with this verse?  We will all face the temptation of a variety of things in our lives.  The constant is that we do not have to face it alone because we have the joy and assurance of the Word of God that we do have an option.  The problem lies in that we often love the sin more than we love the opportunity to escape the sin.  This all boils down to a love problem, we love our sin more than we love our Savior.  How will you face your temptations today?  Will you see them as powerless against the Great God we serve?  Will you see them as more alluring than a relationship with this Great God?  Let’s walk through the door of opportunity for victory over temptation today.

Takeaways:

1.       Victory over temptation is available through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.      Scripture memory is one way of the great ways of victory over temptation

3.      The constant we need in our lives is God for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.