Escaping Temptation

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 ESV

OK, I have a confession…

I have a slight addiction to chocolate chip cookies.

But it can’t just be any old mom and pop chocolate chip cookie or store brand. You see, no other cookie sets my sails quite like Chips Ahoy.

When I see that royal blue, shiny, plastic packaging, my hands begin to sweat.

My lips start to tremble. I begin obsessing about how sweet and crunchy those cookies will be, and how much better they will make my life if I buy them.So many times, I have succumbed to the temptation of sweets cravings and purchased unhealthy, fattening dessert items.

So many times I ignored suggested serving sizes and stuffed my face with excessive amounts of food, with absolutely no regard for my own health.

After a binge of whatever I decided to have that day, the guilt would set in.

Why did I just eat several servings of cookies?

How could I have just consumed a family-size box of cereal in one afternoon?

Overeating is a common temptation, and one that is so easy to miss.

At its core, it’s the temptation to be gluttonous. Whether it’s a harmless box of cookies, or a $5,000 credit limit; whether it’s a roulette table at the casino, or lusting after another woman’s husband; temptation is an issue that all of God’s children must deal with.

Today’s verse in I Corinthians gives encouragement to those of us who worry about falling into temptation.

The temptations that Christians face are all typical ones faced by all people.

Temptation transcends race, color, and creed, for we are all tempted by the same things, time and time again.

It’s comforting to know that whenever we are tempted, God will give us a way of escape.

God will always help us over life’s many hurdles if we will just trust Him to do so.

And that, my dear, is good news.

When feeling tempted, do not feel as though you are the only person going through it and ask God to show you the way out.

Guest devotion by Amy Lauren. Amy is a native Baltimorean with dreams of traveling the world. Her ministry focus includes children and young adult women of her community. Learn how you can become a guest writer.