When I was in school each year I had to take a written test. These tests “tested” whether or not I knew the certain basic fundamentals of learning. I would have to read a paragraph and answer questions, or decipher a mathematical equation. And because the teachers wanted you to be completely as much at ease as possible when taking those tests, they allowed you to take as much time as you needed to finish. Some kids might have completed their test quickly and had the rest of the day to do other things, and those who had a bit harder time figuring out the answers may have taken a bit longer, and there were definitely times when I can remember a teacher helping a student to remember how to find the solution to the answer, and that I’m sure was very appreciated by the student. That teacher acted like a safety net in a way, both in the amount of time given to take the test, and the helpful reminders that might be needed from time to time.
No matter how difficult or daunting a question, that teacher was there to help you when you needed it, which is similar to the way that the Lord helps us when we have troubles with temptations in our lives, providing us with a way out.
“1 Corinthians 10:13 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.”
God knows how far we are able to be pushed in our faith, and how strong we are, and He will not allow us to be tempted in a way that we are not able to overcome.
When the devil tempted Job, God didn’t allow the devil to tempt him farther than he was able to handle. Throughout all of the trials and temptations that he went through, from the death of his sons, and the destruction of his animals, Job never let those temptations cause him to sin against God. He remained steadfast and strong as he pushed through those temptations.
You don’t make a house without some kind of entry or exit. There is always a way out, just as there is a way out of temptations.
2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
When we pray the Lord’s prayer, Jesus instructed us to pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The devil appears in many forms out in the world today, trying to get people to be deceived and turn against God, tempting people when and where they are weakest, but through the help that we have in the Lord, we will overcome.
Psalms 124:7-8 “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
To be like Christ, as is the goal of a Christian, means that we need to deny those ungodly and worldly lusts that is so, unfortunately, natural for a person without the guidance of Christ to fall into. Covetousness, pride, lying, hatred etc. Put those things away, and put on Christ.
1 Peter 4:1-3 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”
The Lord is there to help us in our times of temptation. If you find yourself struggling with sin, remember, God has made a way out.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 