Overcoming Temptation: The Way Out

There is no Christian so mature, so God like, so holy that they are above temptation. Temptation lies behind corner of your life!

The Context:

Paul’s point is that one’s identification with the people of God coupled with extraordinary spiritual experiences does not preclude the possibility of spiritual disaster. In spite of God’s perpetual presence and provision, Israel committed serious sins and perished in the wilderness.

Recap on Last week:

I. The Recount of Redemption. Vs. 1-4

II. The Repulsive Representation. V. 5-11

III. The Rebuke of The Redeemed. Vs. 12

Temptations in the life of faith are not accidents; each temptation is part of a plan, a step in the progress of faith.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

The Nature of Our Temptations. Vs. 13a

(Chapter 10. Vs. 13)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man...

Temptation- It means to simply text or prove. If we resist temptation in God’s power, it is a test that proves our faithfulness. If we do not resist, it becomes a solicitation to sin.

Examples:

When “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt. 4:1) it is clear that both God and Satan participated in the testing. God intended the test to prove His Son’s righteousness, but Satan intended it to induce Jesus to misuse His divine powers and to give His allegiance to Satan.

Job was tested in much the same way. God allowed Job to be afflicted in order to prove His servant was an “upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8). Satan’s purpose was the opposite: to prove that Job was faithful only because of the blessings and prosperity the Lord had given him and that, if those things were taken away, Job would “surely curse Thee to Thy face” (v. 11).

God’s tests are never a solicitation to evil, and James strongly corrects those who suggest such a thing. “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” (James 1:13). “By evil” is the key to the difference between the two types of temptation. In the wilderness God tested Jesus by righteousness, whereas Satan tested Him by evil. A temptation becomes an inducement to evil only when a person “is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin” (James 1:14–15).

God often brings circumstances into our lives to test us. Like Job we usually do not at the time recognize them as tests, certainly not from God. But our response to them proves our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. How we react to financial difficulty, school problems, health trouble, or business setbacks will always test our faith, our reliance on our heavenly Father. If we do not turn to Him, however, the same circumstances can make us bitter, resentful, and angry. Rather than thanking God for the test.

Overtaken you- Literally means to take hold of or to seize. To come upon.

Common to man- is one word (anthrōpinos) in Greek and simply means “that which is human, characteristic of or belonging to mankind.”

In other words, Paul says there is no such thing as a superhuman or supernatural temptation. Temptations are human experiences. The term also carries the idea of usual or typical, as indicated by common. Temptations are never unique experiences to us. We can never have a temptation that has not been experienced by millions of other people. Circumstances differ but basic temptations do not.

Even the Son of God was “tempted in all things as we are” (Heb. 4:15), and because of that “He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (2:18). And because temptations are common to us all we are able to “confess [our] sins to one another” (James 5:16) and to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). We are all in the same boat.

Supporting Scripture:

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Look back to Vs. 1-11 to Israel’s Temptations. They were common. We are all in the same boat.

I Peter 5: 6-11 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Our Defender In Temptations. Vs. 13b

1 Corinthians 10:13 “but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...”

God is faithful -He remains true to His own

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 139:8 “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

Psalm 31:23 “Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.”

Psalm 91:4 “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Psalm 13:5–6 “But I have trusted in Your faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

Psalm 27:10 “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.”

He was faithful to:

David- Goliath

Noah- Building the Ark

Elijah- Called fire from heaven

3 Hebrew boys- Forth man in the flame.

Peter- Day of pentecost.

Paul- want and plenty.

ME!!!!!!!!

who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.- When our faithfulness is tested we have God’s own faithfulness as our resource. We can be absolutely certain that He will not allow [us] to be tempted beyond what [we] are able. That is God’s response when we pray, “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13). He will not let us experience any test we are not able to meet.

God is faithful to stand Guard over His Children!

Perseverance In Our Temptations. Vs. 13c

1 Corinthians 10:13 “but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

“The way of Escape”- The way of escape from every temptation, no matter what it is, is the same: it is through. Whether we have a test by God to prove our righteousness or a test by Satan to induce to sin, there is only one way we can pass the test. We escape temptation not by getting out of it but by passing through it.

“that you may be able to bear it.”- God’s own Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. It was the Father’s will that the Son be there, and Jesus did not leave until all three temptations were over. He met the temptations head-on. He “escaped” the temptations by enduring them in His Father’s power.

God provides three ways for us to endure temptation: prayer, trust, and focusing on Jesus Christ.

1. Prayer

“Keep watching and praying, that you may not come into temptation,” Jesus told His disciples (Mark 14:38). If we do not pray, we can be sure a test will turn into temptation. Our first defense in a test or a trial is to pray, to turn to our heavenly Father and put the matter in His hands.

2. Trust

We must trust. When we pray we must pray believing that the Lord will answer and help us. We also trust that, whatever the origin of the trial, God has allowed it to come for our good, to prove our faithfulness. God has a purpose for everything that comes to His children, and when we are tested or tempted we should gladly endure it in His power—for the sake of His glory and of our spiritual growth.

3. Focus

We should focus on our Lord Jesus Christ. “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Heb. 12:3–4). Christ endured more than we could ever be called on to endure. He understands our trials and He is able to take us through them.

The Examples:

1- Simon (Peter)

The Acts of Peter, a second-century apocryphal text, suggests that Peter was crucified upside down at his own request. This was because Peter felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Peter, one of the original apostles, met his death in Rome, reportedly at the hands of Emperor Nero around 64 AD, shortly after the Great Fire of Rome.

Jesus had previously foretold Peter’s death when He said, “when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). John later elaborated, explaining that Jesus spoke these words to signify the manner in which Peter would glorify God through his death (John 21:19). This prophecy implies that Peter would experience a martyrdom that echoed the sacrifice of Jesus and was indicative of his unwavering commitment to his faith.

2-Andrew

According to the apocryphal text “Acts of Andrew,” this apostle was martyred by crucifixion in the Greek city of Patras around 60 AD. Similar to his brother Peter, Andrew felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Therefore, he was tied to a cross, but unlike the traditional Roman cross, it was arranged in the shape of an X rather than a T. This unique method of crucifixion reflected Andrew’s humility and his desire to distinguish his own death from that of the Savior. The choice of an X-shaped cross, often called a saltire or St. Andrew’s Cross, has since become a symbol associated with Andrew and his martyrdom, emphasizing his piety and reverence in facing his fate.

3-James Son of Zebedee

We learn about the death of James, the brother of John, in the book of Acts. According to Acts 12:1–2, King Herod arrested members of the early church, intending to persecute them. James, one of the apostles, was executed by the sword at Herod’s command. Herod’s motive for this action appears to have been to appease the Jewish leaders, who held strong disdain for the growing Christian movement and likely saw the killing of prominent apostles as a means to suppress it. Historians and biblical scholars generally agree that James met his death in Jerusalem around 44 AD, reflecting the intense hostility the early church faced from both Jewish and Roman authorities during that time.

4-John (brother of James Son of Zebedee)

Tertullian, a prominent Christian writer from the second and third centuries, documented that before the Romans exiled John, they brought him into a coliseum and immersed him in a barrel of boiling oil. Remarkably, John emerged from the ordeal unharmed, leading to the conversion of the entire coliseum to Christianity. This miraculous event underscored the profound faith and influence of John, who was one of the original apostles and a close disciple of Jesus.

Later, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Domitian in the mid-90s, John was exiled to the island of Patmos. It was there that he received the vision which would later be recorded in the Book of Revelation. After spending time in isolation, John eventually died a natural death as an elderly man. His life and contributions, including his experiences during persecution and exile, have since become a testament to the unwavering faith and resilience of early Christian leaders.

5-Philip

The “Acts of Philip,” a narrative text from early Christianity, provides a detailed account of the martyrdom of Philip. According to this document, Philip was instrumental in leading a proconsul’s wife to the Christian faith. This conversion, however, incurred the ire of the proconsul, who sought revenge against Philip for influencing his spouse.

In retaliation, the proconsul arranged for Philip’s execution. The precise details of Philip’s martyrdom may vary in different traditions, but it is widely agreed that he faced persecution and death as a result of his commitment to spreading the teachings of Christianity. The Acts of Philip underscores the intensity of opposition that early Christian missionaries often faced, as well as the steadfastness and dedication of those who proclaimed their faith despite the risks.

6- Bartholomew

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, a historical account that chronicles the persecution of early Christians, asserts that in India, Bartholomew faced a harrowing end. According to the text, Bartholomew was subjected to brutal mistreatment at the hands of the local idolaters. Their impatience and hostility led them to beat him severely and ultimately crucify him.

This account emphasizes the fierce opposition early missionaries encountered when spreading the teachings of Christianity. Such persecution was not only physical but also ideological, as idolaters viewed the spread of Christian doctrine as a direct threat to their own religious practices and beliefs. Despite the harsh and inhumane treatment, the steadfast faith of Bartholomew in the face of such adversities reflects the profound commitment and resilience characteristic of early Christian leaders.

7-Thomas

The apocryphal “Acts of Thomas” provides an account of the martyrdom of Thomas in Mylapore, India. According to this tradition, Thomas faced a grim fate at the hands of his adversaries. He was reportedly executed by being stabbed with spears, a method that underscores the brutal opposition encountered by early Christian missionaries.

Syrian Christian tradition, in particular, holds that Thomas was martyred in Mylapore on July 3, 72 AD. This date and account emphasize the deep-rooted connection between Thomas and the Indian Christian community. The martyrdom of Thomas is often seen as a symbol of his unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel, even in the face of persecution. It also highlights the rich and complex history of the spread of Christianity in India and the enduring legacy of apostolic influence in that region.

8-Matthew the Tax Collector

In Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, the life and martyrdom of Matthew is detailed. It is recorded that Matthew’s missionary work spanned Parthia and Ethiopia, regions where he spread the teachings of Christianity. According to this account, in Ethiopia, Matthew endured martyrdom by being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah in the year 60 AD.

This narrative highlights the extensive reach of Matthew’s ministry and the challenges he faced in preaching Christianity in diverse and sometimes hostile territories. The use of a halberd as an instrument of martyrdom underscores the violent opposition faced by early Christian missionaries, who were often persecuted for their steadfast faith and their efforts to spread the gospel. Matthew’s death in Ethiopia, a place with a rich Christian heritage, serves as a reminder of the profound impact of his missionary work and his ultimate sacrifice in the name of his faith.

9-James Son of Alphaeus

Hippolytus, a respected theologian who lived during the second and third centuries, documented the death of James the son of Alphaeus. According to his writings, James was actively preaching in Jerusalem when he faced violent opposition from the Jewish community. This hostility culminated in his martyrdom by stoning. Hippolytus further noted that James was buried near the temple in Jerusalem, highlighting the significance of his final resting place in close proximity to the religious center where he had dedicated his ministry.

James’s death exemplifies the intense persecution early Christian leaders faced while spreading the gospel, especially in areas where the Jewish community viewed the teachings of Christianity as a threat to traditional religious practices. The burial of James near the temple also reflects the reverence and respect held for him by his followers and the early Christian community, recognizing his contribution to the spread of the Christian faith and his unwavering commitment to his mission.

10- Thaddaeus

Luke, in his Gospel (Luke 6:16) and the book of Acts (Acts 1:13), refers to Judas as “Judas son of James,” effectively replacing the name Thaddeus with this alternative designation. This shift highlights the variations in naming conventions that can be found across different texts in the New Testament. On the other hand, John specifically mentions Thaddeus, calling him “Judas (not Iscariot)” (John 14:22), underscoring a distinct identity from Judas Iscariot.

According to “The Golden Legend,” Simon and Jude, two of the apostles, faced martyrdom when they commanded demons to leave idols, which incited the ire of religious leaders. The narrative describes how the bishops responded by violently attacking the apostles, resulting in their deaths. However, the account adds that a powerful thunderstorm followed, striking the temple and turning the bodies of the two apostles into coal. The king, recognizing the divine retribution, honored them by transferring their bodies to the city and establishing a grand church in their honor. This story reflects the fierce opposition early Christian missionaries encountered and the miraculous signs that often accompanied their martyrdom.

11-Simon the Zealot

There are various accounts detailing the death of Simon the Zealot, reflecting the diverse traditions surrounding early Christian martyrs. Moses of Chorene, a historian from the fifth century, recorded that Simon the Zealot was martyred in the Kingdom of Iberia. This account, while specific to a regional context, emphasizes the widespread persecution that early Christians faced in different territories.

Additionally, “The Golden Legend” recounts Simon’s martyrdom in Persia in 65 AD. This narrative offers a different perspective, highlighting the geographical diversity of early Christian communities and the varying circumstances that led to martyrdom. The Ethiopian Christian tradition claims that Simon the Zealot was crucified in Samaria, which reflects a different cultural interpretation of his death. In the sixteenth century, Justus Lipsius mentioned that Simon was sawed in half, suggesting the particularly gruesome and diverse methods of execution used by the authorities to suppress the spread of Christianity.

These differing accounts underscore the complex and sometimes conflicting traditions that have emerged over time, reflecting the various ways in which Simon’s life and death have been commemorated across different cultures and eras.

12-Mathias

This is the disciple who replaced Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:12-26), the one who betrayed Jesus and subsequently hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). The narrative of Matthias, who was chosen to be an apostle to take Judas’ place, reflects the continuation of the early church’s mission despite the betrayal by one of its members.

According to one tradition, Matthias was martyred in Aethiopia (Georgia), where he was stoned to death by cannibals. This account emphasizes the harsh conditions and the opposition early Christian missionaries often faced in spreading the faith across different regions.

Another tradition suggests that Matthias was stoned to death by Jews in Jerusalem and then beheaded. This narrative underscores the intensity of the persecution faced by early Christians, particularly by those who continued to proclaim the gospel in the very heart of the Jewish community. Both traditions contribute to our understanding of the diversity of experiences and martyrdom endured by the apostles and early followers of Jesus.

Conclusion:

(MacArthur Commentary)

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Christian and Hopeful fall asleep in a field belonging to giant Despair. The giant finds them and takes them into Doubting Castle, where he puts them in a dark and stinking dungeon, without food or water. On his wife’s advice, the giant first beats them mercilessly and then suggests they commit suicide. After the giant leaves, the two companions discuss what they should do. Finally Christian remembers the key in his pocket. “I have a key in my bosom called Promise, that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.” Sure enough, it opened all the doors in the castle and even the gate. “Then they went on, and came to the King’s highway again.”

(NAC Commentary )

1 Corinthians 5. The Negative Example of Israel in the Wilderness (10:1–13)

The clear implication is that God is faithful to provide the way of escape for his people in a time of temptation. Sinful though we still are, God’s grace is sufficient in every case. The very next verse, 10:14, specifies the way of escape for the situation at hand, “Flee from idolatry!” The path of escape is often a path we are unwilling to take.