God gives a Way-Out — Weekly Encouragement – March 8, 2020

Greetings Friend,

       “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…” (1Corinthians 10:13a) “Temptation” – the Greek word here is “peirasmos”.

       Have you ever heard Christian people say things like, “God will never put anything on you that is more than you can bear.”? And they will use this verse to justify that kind of doctrine. They mean well, and they probably even love the Lord, but that kind of thinking is terribly wrong!

       James makes it absolutely clear in James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” The Greek word here for tempt is (you guessed it) “peirazo”, a different form of the same word. God never tempts anyone — period!!

       “…but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1Corinthians 10:13b) God is the one mitigating the power of the enemy’s temptations toward you by offering “the way of escape.

       God is the One saying, “Come, follow Me! I’ll lead you out of this! You don’t have to fall for the tempting lies of the evil one.” We won’t hear His voice and we’ll miss His way of escape if we believe He is the one putting troubles and temptations on us.

       So here’s the Encouragement: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) And as you’re with Him, when He shows you the way out — Take It!!

God bless,

Dave