1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New King James Version)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Reflections:
These are familiar verses of scripture, although we usually don’t associate verse 12 with verse 13. We typically use verse 12 to rebuke someone who seems to be over-inflated by self; and we use verse 13 to encourage one another when we’re trying to make our way though what seems like a time of trial or testing.
Actually these verses flow into one another and are exhorting us to not make the same mistakes that the Israelites made in the wilderness. What was their mistake? They lusted after evil things (1 Cor 10:1-10). What things?
· They become idolaters. They had Aaron make a Golden calf to worship and sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play and commit sexual immorality.
· They were not satisfied with God’s provision for their lives.
· They constantly complained.
These attitudes led to verse 12 where it says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” referring to the Israelites attitude toward God.
Verse 13 is attempting to warn us not to be like them. It’s all a test! And God doesn’t want us to fail! And we don’t have to because “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
So let’s hang in there and hold steady by faith learning to trust God in all things …
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