May 16 - 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you

that is not common to man.

God is faithful, and he will not let you

be tempted beyond your ability,

but with the temptation

he will also provide the way of escape,

that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Which do you like the first … the good news or the bad news?

The bad news is, you’re not the most creative person in history.

The good news, therefore, is that you’ve not created a new way to sin! Indeed, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to [others].”

Wait! Why is that good news? Because that truth can break a chain.

Satan likes to lie to us. He whispers, “You can’t tell anyone your sin. No one would understand.” Therefore, we hide our sins and weaknesses. Have you ever done that? What’s the effect? It isolates us. It robs us from help and support.

Sin is like a vampire. It lives in the dark. But what happens to a vampire when it’s brought into the light? It dies.

Vampire-like, sin lives in the dark and secret corners of our heart. But when we confess our sins – bring them into the light – sin loses its grip on us.

Paul comforts us with this verse. Our temptations are not unique. People will understand. (Indeed, your pastor will understand. Trust me … I’ve seen and heard it all.)

Confession accomplishes three beautiful goals …

1. Confession kills the vampire … and the ongoing stranglehold of temptation.
2. Confession literally brings forgiveness. Remember 1 John 1? “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
3. Confession also brings deeper faith. When we confess – and comprehend God’s forgiveness – we’re more likely to trust God again and again. And when we’re trusting God more and more, we begin to see the escape routes that this verse promises. Indeed, God’s “way of escape” is precisely how he keeps us from “be[ing] tempted beyond [our] ability.” Faith is the way of escape. God can be stronger than any temptation. (Actually God is definitely stronger than any temptation, but he’s only as strong as we let him be. But when we let him, through faith, God is our way of escape.

In Christ’s Love,

a convict who’s been freed

through confession and faith