More Than We Can Handle?

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."-1 Corinthians 10:13

 In one of my classes we are looking at commonly misused Bible verses. According to the text,one of them is 1 Corinthians 10:13 which people supposedly twist to state a general idea that God will never give you more trouble in life than you can handle. I honestly cannot think of any time that I have ever heard this verse misused in the way indicated by the author. In fact, I was very surprised to see this verse even in this book. While I have heard people say that God will not allow us to endure more than we can handle, it is usually from another verse or (most often) some vague philosophical idea that since God loves us He would never let us suffer more than we can handle. I have actually only ever heard this verse used in relation to temptation. However, it usually does not go beyond a superficial, fortune cookie type reasurance that leaves the hearer thinking, "Ok, so why is sin controlling me and where is my way out?"

The author, Bangerhuff pretty much nails it when he says that "God knows a person's limits with regards to temptation, and He will not allow any temptation to supercede a person's ability to resist it." However, in the midst of temptation we are often blinded by the lies and promises of the tempter and do not see or understand the way out. That's why the author points out Hebrews 2:18 which reminds us that Jesus was tempted and helps us in our temptations. Also, a major issue for many people is simply their lack of understanding about life, sin, and temptations. Too often we pass over serious Bible study in exchange for feel good devotionals that do not always equip us for the harder things in life. Bangerhuff says that we need to be "fortified by the Word of God." Temptation can be resisted, and escape can be found, if we know what we are looking for.

The author ends with a great statement that we lose sight of often, "looking to and leaning on God is the answer. He is faithful." Despite the drive-by "encouraging" I usually see this versed used in, it really does offer some good help for those struggling with temptation, when properly understood. Hearing God will not allow you more temptation than you can resist does not seem very helpful when you feel enslaved by sin, and being told there is an escape can feel disheartening when you cannot see a way out. However, that comes from us dwelling on the temptation and not on God. Like Peter on the waves in Matthew 14, our success depends on our focus. Take our eyes off the Lord and we sink. Instead we need to lift our focus from the waves of temptation and look to the Lord. The Bible records 6,000 years of God proving His faithfulness to mankind. He was faithful then, and He is faithful now. It's not enough to know there is a way out, but we need to seek the Lord, who is faithful, so that He can lead us out.