Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– 1st Cor 10:13
Run Away
When you are tempted, we are to submit “to God and resist the Devil and he will flee” (James 4:7), but just in case, why don’t you flee too? In other words, when you’re faced with temptation, simply get out of that situation as fast as you can. The longer you wait, the more susceptible you are to caving into that temptation and then sinning. God’s Word promises that “with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1st Cor 10:13b).
Quoting Scripture
Every time Satan tried to tempt Jesus to sin, Jesus came back by quoting Scripture, so that’s what we should do. That’s why the psalmist wrote, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11), or, putting it another way, “I have memorized Scripture to keep me from sinning,” and it really does work. I use this verse when tempted by the opposite sex, where Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1).
You’re not Alone
The Apostle Paul reminds us that, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man,” so we’re not the only ones who are battling temptation. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Job was tempted by young virgins, and you and I are probably tempted every day to sin, so we must realize that we’re all going through the very much the same thing, but God has promised to “provide the way of escape” (1st Cor 10:13b), but it’s still up to us to take the escape route.
Conclusion
We are easily led into sin, as James wrote, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14), and “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:15), so when you face temptation, run away; when you are tempted to sin, quote Scripture that you’ve memorized; and remember that God’s provided an escape route, but we must take the first step toward it, and only then, can we resist temptation.
