Emergency Exits

Scripture:
I Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
 
Observation:
In chapter 10, Paul is warning the church to not make the same mistakes as their fathers did in the Old Testament. There were some great accounts in the Old Testament of how God provided and took care of the Israelites needs. Yet at the same time the Israelites were not perfect and continually found themselves doing things that displeased God. They grumbled. They worshipped idols. They acted immorally. They even tested God. Paul reminds the people that these accounts are examples of how we should not live. The Israelites mistakes caused them to be punished, and Paul is instructing the church to not be tempted in the same manner. But what I love most in this chapter is what Paul has to say in verse 13 about temptation. We hear people say things like, “I just could not help myself” or “I had not control over what I did.” Paul tells the church differently. He straightforwardly tells them that God does not tempt beyond what they have control. He tells them there is always a means of escape and they can endure temptation.

Application:
I am not a good person to be with when an emergency like a fire occurs. I never pay attention to emergency exits or what to do in case of emergencies. I am the one on the airplane who talks to the person in the seat beside me while the flight attendant is giving the spill on emergency exits/landings. I have at times thought about what my family would do in case of a house fire and how we would evacuate the house, but I in no way have a plan. Then there are those people like my husband who are alert and always know what to do in case of an emergency. They know the emergency exits in a restaurant and they have a plan for what their family should do in case of a house fire. They have thought ahead and plan for those times of emergencies. I believe this is what Paul was trying to communicate in verse 13 when he is referring to God not tempting us beyond what we can withstand. Temptation is much like emergencies. They usually come when you least expect it. There may be some warning signs but if you don’t know what to do then it is a little too late to start planning. This is why schools, hospitals, and other facilities have fire and tornado drills. They want to assure they know what to do when something arises. The same is true with temptation. If I don’t have an emergency exit plan for temptation then chances are I will fall prey to the same traps over and over again. So for me the way God allows escape from temptation is to have a plan of what I need to do when I am tempted. If I know that being around people who are negative and grumble influences me to be negative as well, then I need to plan to limit my time around them and find people who are positive and uplifting to surround myself with.

Prayer:
God, you have promised us that you are faithful and will never tempt us beyond what we can endure. Help me to remember that you trust me enough to allow temptations to come. You also expect me to have a plan and make wise choices. Thank you for providing us with an example through your Word of how to live our lives.
 
— Emily Suggs, children’s minister, Madison/Ridgeland campus