1 Corinthians 9-10, Psalm 145
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Paul tells the church of Corinth to not be too self-confident or they might fall. If believers place too much confidence in their own strength and do not rely on help from the Lord, they will fall. The Bible is full of the stories of people who distrusted the Lord and sought life apart from the will of the Lord, and believers are no different. But Paul reminds believers that the Lord is faithful and will help believers with temptation. Father-God will not allow His followers to be tempted beyond what they can bear, but temptation is an ongoing reality. Paul tells believers that the Lord will them a way out of temptation so they can endure the temptation and not surrender to it.
One Bible commentary I read noted that if a believer’s confidence is based on past blessings, knowledge, or outward association with the Lord’s people, and not in the Lord, that confidence can become pride which always comes before a fall. Believers need to remain watchful filled with temptation and outward opposition. Faithfulness in the Lord is the foundation to help believers endure the temptations of sin. The Lord will never let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but we must be dependent on the Lord to help us endure the temptation. Another Bible commentary noted that the Lord will always supply a path of obedience in every temptation that may involve feeling the sinful setting, refusing a compromise, recalling Scripture, seeking help, praying for strength, or saying no before desire gains control.
These verses remind me that I am not immune from temptation. I sometimes think that because I am doing all the right things to be in covenant with the Lord, that I will not suffer from temptation. But I know from experience that this assumption is wrong, but I still get so bummed out when I sometimes fall. But I know that the Lord is always with me and I have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help me. So when I fail, I ask the Lord for forgiveness and for help to not fail again.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who helps up get up when we fall—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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