Sunday 4 Oct 2015

October 4: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13
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.

Devotion:
If you think that we are surrounded by more temptations than the people in the past then think again! If you think that we are the first to be tempted by amazing things, think again! From early history, people have been tempted by things that look better than they are. And that is it! Things look better than they really are and that is why they are called temptations!

We are tempted by things which look good, by people who look good, by things others do which look good... But when we start to analyse exactly what they are up to we start to see the flaws in what they do. We start to see what they are doing may be good to do, but in fact may be bringing temptation on others or spoiling things for them!

There is nothing worse than tempting others! By doing something that is “good” but not right, we are giving others a stumbling block. This may be something as simple as bragging about a new toy you have, or as complex as showing someone how to break a code to get something they are not allowed to get at.

If we are going to give into the temptations, we are going to be controlled by those very same temptations. God may be forgiving and loving, but when His wrath is kindled just a little, we will see how powerful He really is. History has shown us so many times where God has “told people off” the hard way, brought people through things, given people so much more than they deserve; but still we seem to think is will never happen to us! God has not given up on this world and has not left it to see what is going to happen; instead He is continually watching over us.

Points to Ponder:
Have you ever been in a car which is driven by someone who cannot drive?

Giving into temptation is like giving someone else control!