The Faithfulness of God in Temptation

There is a popular video where people place some elementary-aged children in a room by themselves with a marshmallow in front of them and tell them to not eat the marshmallow. The video humorously cuts to each child who has either licked, nibbled, taken a bite out of, or ate all of the marshmallow.

I’m sure many of us as children can remember us giving into the temptation to do exactly what our parents told us not to do, whether it was touching the stove,  jumping on the bed, or whatever it may have been. For those of you that have had children, you probably remember the moments that your child hears you say, “No, don’t do that!” Yet, they turn their gaze towards you slowly, and then turn right back to slowly continue doing what you told them not to do.

How often as followers of Christ do we do this very same thing to what God has told us in His Word? How often do we choose to give into our desires rather than what God desires?

Consider these words: 

“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Do we really believe that God has always provided “the way out” when we are tempted not only to do what God says not to do but also to not do what God has told us to do? Are we being intentional to actively seek God for “the way out” that God has provided when we are tempted? “The way out” can be as simple as running to the throne of grace in prayer for grace to help us in our time of need. 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 - Pastor John