“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 Cor. 10:13. Those of you, who are old enough to remember Flip Wilson, recall how one of his comedic characters, after they had “sinned”, used to lament that, “The Devil made me do it!” It became a catch phrase in the 70s. While you don’t hear it much anymore, I think a lot of Christians still use it as an excuse for bad behavior. We all live in the midst of a spiritual battlefield, have no doubts about that. Forces of evil prey on our vulnerable spots, places of need, or insufficiency if you will. For example, you feel unloved in your marriage, and a person, other than your spouse, appears and offers you tenderness. That hits you in your need. Your finances are failing, and someone offers a trip to the casino. You get the point. Needs are needs, and we are always looking for ways to fulfill them. God knows what we need, but so too does our adversary. Paul wrote this letter to the very carnal church at Corinth. Google Corinth sometime. Those folks, before they became Christians, and some after, thought that giving into fleshly desires was pleasing to God. After all, the body was designed to enjoy earthly pleasures, why not use it to the max? God wants us to be fulfilled, in all aspects of our physical, emotional, financial and spiritual selves, but there is always the beneficial, and the sinful way to meet those needs. When we are familiar with God’s word, it makes the choice more obvious, not always easier. This verse, yet another of God’s promises, offers us an escape route when we face those difficult choices. It reminds me of the bright red EXIT signs in our office, that the Fire Dept. mandated we install. There is always a way out! Look up, see it and take it!
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