“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
What a powerful verse! Imagine plugging into heaven and getting hold of the power God is giving you to overcome EVERYTHING. His Word needs to be our absolute truth. As we meditate on this verse and pull it apart, we can apply it and see the incredible power in it.
God lays the groundwork of victory right from the beginning of the verse. “NO temptation has overtaken you except such is common to MAN” –not to God. The only time temptation has taken over someone was “in the power of man”-in our own strength. “ONE IS TEMPTED WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY BY HIS OWN DESIRES AND ENTICED.” (JAMES 1:14) NOT God…it has NEVER overtaken Him!
We see why as we continue, right in the middle of this verse it declares “BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL”. He is always faithful, even in the middle of temptation. His character declares His faithfulness. I just love how this is right in the middle of the verse just like He meets us RIGHT in the middle of temptation with faithfulness. “WHO WILL NOT ALLOW you to be tempted beyond what you are able”-Shows His power and sovereign control even over the temptation. Satan still has to ask permission, HE ALLOWS it in His Sovereignty as an opportunity for great growth and power to be demonstrated, knowing full well in HIS strength you are able to overcome it. Not in MAN’s strength, but GOD’s strength. Nothing has overtaken in HIS strength. “SUBMIT TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.” (JAMES 4:7)
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless, Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)
