Overcoming Temptation
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.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
The Apostle Paul reminds the believers at Corinth that no temptation is overpowering for believers because they are no longer slaves to sin. So they can choose what is right. As sons of God, God will create a way out and grant the believer the strength to say no to sinful enticements. Although the believers in Corinth could buy meat at the Temple Market or occasionally eat at the Temple Restaurants, their constant indulging in certain activities at the Temple of Aphrodite could lead to temptation unnecessarily. Remember, the Temple of Aphrodite was a significant cultural center in Corinth, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. Many Temple practices encouraged licentious behavior and immorality, posing a considerable temptation to its believers. Frequenting such a place could lead them astray from their commitment to holiness and righteousness. It is similar to a road with a sharp curve, where drivers can quickly lose their way if they take their eyes off the road for too long. The Temple of Aphrodite was like that curve, an easy temptation that could easily lead its believers astray if they allowed themselves to become victims of this distraction. Paul states in I Corinthians 10:14, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. He shifts his tone to what creates problems for everyone, including believers, which is the sin of idolatry. An idol is anything, including a person, place, thing, or thought, that is unauthorized and looked to for making decisions. For example, people may idolize their career or money and sacrifice relationships or health to pursue it.
Hint: All idols lead us away from God rather than towards Him, as they come in all shapes and sizes, including tangible and intangible.
As believers grow in their belief, the common temptations that overtook them in the past will have a minor or no effect in the future. This resistance is because idolatry is no longer an attractive option and is replaced by a stronger relationship with God. Believers become more aware of their decisions as their relationship with God grows, and they are better equipped to handle temptation.
The question, then, is, have you been able to handle your past and present temptations due to your spiritual growth in God?
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.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV