We dealt with the topic of temptation last Sunday at CrossHope Chapel when we read James 1:12-14 in our current teaching series through the book of James.

I thought it would be good to reiterate our study points from our cross reference to 1 Corinthians 10:13 “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.”

Here are four things we should know when dealing with temptation…

First, all temptation is “common to man” so know that others have and are successfully facing their temptations successfully through faith in Jesus Christ. Since temptation is “common to man” we can take comfort in knowing that no temptation has been specially conjured up or created as some type of super weapon from Satan to cause us to sin.

Second, “God is faithful” so their is no rule change when it comes to temptations. 1 John 1:9 is always our promise in whatever the temptation is, and it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In Malachi 3:6 God seeks to assure us of constant faithfulness, regardless of circumstances, when He said “For I am the Lord, I change not” and Hebrews 13:8 we also read, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Third, you are not tempted “above that ye are able” which is to say that in God’s faithfulness He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability “to bear it” or in such a way that it is greater than you ability to handle. Remember that Job faced trouble that was overwhelming, but Satan could not take His life. Temptation and trials are similar in their potential to lure us to sin or send us to the Savior.

Fourth, in God’s faithfulness He also will “make a way to escape” and let the words of Jesus from John 14:6 come to mind, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”