OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I fell and skinned my knee. Along with the last bit of adhesive tape that held my medicated bandage, came this bit of advice from my mother - next time "watch where you are going!"What sage advice! I can never remember stumbling and falling, except when this advice was ignored. As with most occasions that result in parental advice, it is generally not understood at the time given, but full knowledge comes with later remembrances. Falls can be avoided or significantly reduced, and wrong turns will be held to a minimum, when one takes heed, and diligently watches every step they take, as they travel down the pathway of life.

We understand that Paul was addressing Christians when he gave this admonition. Christians can fall from the grace of God - Christians are not assured of eternal salvation, just the hope of attaining it. The Hebrew writer, addressing brothers and sisters in Christ,also maked this plain by saying, Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12). To take heed, means to be ever watchful, alert, vigilant, and constantly on guard. As my mother often advised, "Watch where you are going." What are we to take heed of? Take heed for the wiles of the devil. Satan, himself, is constantly searching for the Christian that ignores this God's warning to take heed. In Job we learn that Satan travels to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it (Job 1:7),searching for those that are weary, and live carelessly as a child of God. All Christians should heed this warning from the apostle Peter, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

To take heed means that, even though we are Christians, we can fall from God's grace. Taking heed has many meanings, for instance: that we are always to be aware of Satan's presence; to never be filled with over-confidence and regard ourselves as completely secure from harm; to never rely on our own strength to succeed and overcome adversity; to realize that we have many weaknesses; to know what those weaknesses are; to understand and recognize sin when it appears in our presence. Taking heed means that, as a Christian, we constantly seek God's guidance with every step we take, instead of relying on human wisdom to search out our pathway of life. It is these times that we think we are safe and secure - when we feel confident and strong, our guard goes down, the safety net is taken away, and we become vulnerable to the temptations of our adversary the devil. When, as Christians, we think we can spiritually stand alone without the assistance of God, we cease to take heed, and, assuredly, we will fall!

This we can also be assured of; Satan will constantly tempt the faith of every Christian! Each generation is convinced that the temptations they must face are much greater than the temptations of all previous generations. It is true that each generation may have different temptations, but not greater temptations. The apostle John says that all of sin's temptations can be placed into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That being true, whatever temptation one faces must befound in one of these three classifications. They are universally common to all mankind. In the lesson text, Paul assures us that there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.

However weary we may become from the loads of life, or however we may be tempted and tried by Satan, this is what we are assured, by our Creator and the Author of our salvation. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. From our God that cannot lie, comes this promise to every Christian. At whatever time in our life, under whatever extreme condition, and whatever the temptation may be that we are exposed to, God promises to give us the strength necessary for deliverance from its control. This promise is given to every Christian, that places their trust in God, rather that relying on their own merit, strength, and worldly wisdom. Those that devoutly follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who overcame all temptations of Satan; those that consistently, and reverently pray for strength and guidance from God, will be able to overcome all temptations during life on earth. Take heed lest (ye) fall! This we know, Overcoming Temptation is only as strong as the Christian's faith and trust in God!