A Sure Escape Clause

"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently."  1 Corinthians 10: 13 - Amplified Bible

Believers need to UNDERSTAND that we , in effect, have the assurance of an "escape clause."  I chose the Amplified Bible rendition because it so vividly declares the truths of this scripture.  The lessons we need to learn include:

1.  Temptation has and always will be a struggle for Christians.  We sometimes act as if no other person has endured the trials, tribulations, temptations, etc. that we have.  There is some peace in simply knowing that we are NOT alone.

2.  God won’t allow you to face more than you can bear.  To understand that God's "hedge of protection" around His children filters trials/temptations is reassurance to us as believers.  NOTHING overcomes us that, with His help, can not be overcome!

3.  He will ALWAYS provide a way out - a "means of escape to a landing place."  As we look back to those times we have yielded (and we do every day), we can often times see where God had vividly displayed the escape hatch to our failures.  We need to learn from those past failures to see through spiritual eyes more quickly and NOT yield to the temptation that lures us.  As we grow in Him, that can take place!
  
We need to recognize Satan wants us to fail, but God wants us to live victoriously over sin.  God has provided the way for that to take place every day!  That "sure escape clause" is not JUST a "way out" of a mess when we recognize it.  Understanding it fully/trusting God as a result, is a means to not yield to the lure/the temptation that is before us.  As we abide in Him, we will see with spiritual eyes and trust God more, going His way.

In a recent devotion using this verse the author wrote, "I complain when the fire drill sounds. Whether it’s cold outside or I’m just busy, I don’t want to exit a building that’s not on fire. However, the first time I experienced a real fire emergency, I was thankful for the drills that prompted me to find the safest escape route."  That's a good analogy for a lot of things we encounter day-to-day.  Spend time with God.  Learn from Him.  Trust His Word.  Learn from past experience.  You'll know better how to react in times of real crisis/temptation.

Unfortunately, like the people of Corinth, many people are not looking for an escape route from temptation. The city was synonymous with rampant immorality.   The culture of today is much the same!  Paul tried to teach believers in Corinth how to live for Christ in corrupt, ungodly surroundings.  His lessons can still be taught today, and we need to learn how to live for Him, despite the rampant temptations to forsake His ways and follow the ways of the world.

Take some time today to "look around you" and see how God has prepared the way for EVERYTHING you will encounter.  The scripture teaches that He goes before us; He goes with us; we can trust Him in every circumstance.  Take the time and you will grow as a result of the knowledge that He has not left you alone or forsaken you.  He is with you right now!