”No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13New International Version (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul stated that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind“. And in stating so, Paul asserted that you will not encounter a temptation that is uncommon to men.
God’s displeasure with Israel
Moreover, before Paul made the statement in 1 Corinthians 10:13a, he had started the section stretching from 1 Corinthians 10:1 to 1 Corinthians 11:1, by revealing that God was not pleased with most of the Israelites that He delivered from Egypt. And God’s displeasure originated from their practice of idolatry that made them commit sexual immorality, their testing of Christ, and their grumbling (1 Corinthians 10:7-10).
God, therefore, killed them in the wilderness of Sinai (1 Corinthians 10:1-5). And Paul consequently informed the Corinthians that what happened to the Israelites was to serve as an example to them.
Finally, Paul informed the Corinthians that what happened to the Israelites was to serve as a warning to them (1 Corinthians 10:11). And the same applies to you and me.
Common temptations of the Corinthians
Therefore, from God’s displeasure with Israel, you can observe that the common temptations that the Israelites fell into were: idolatry with sexual immorality, testing Christ, and grumbling (1 Corinthians 10:7-10). And much later, the Corinthians fell into sexual immorality and idolatry as recorded in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:12-20, and 10:1-11:1.
The Corinthians were not to set their hearts on evil like the Israelites had done
Consequently, Paul exhorted the Corinthians not to set their hearts on evil like the Israelites had done (1 Corinthians 10:6). Because this is what would make them continue standing firm in Christ.
Additionally, Paul exhorted them to exercise care (concerning the common temptations) so that they would not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). Because “no temptation had overtaken them except that which is common to mankind” (1 Corinthians 10:13 (a)).
But it is the common things (temptations) that made the Israelites and the Corinthians fall into evil. And it is the common things that can make you easily fall into evil.
The Bible
Fortunately, though, the subject of evil is well addressed in the Bible. And Jesus Himself used Scripture to overcome temptation (Matthew 4:1-11).
You therefore not only have many examples, but you also have God’s Word (the Bible) to help you profile and identify evil. For example, the evils of idolatry and testing Christ are well addressed in the Torah/Law. That is the first commandment of the ten commandments of God, and the book of Deuteronomy.
Therefore, the first commandment addresses the subject of the exclusive worship of God your deliverer (Exodus 20:1-6). And in so doing, commands you against the practice of idolatry.
Additionally, Deuteronomy 6:16 addresses the subject of testing God. And in so doing, commands against testing God (Matthew 4:7).
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul told the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. And grumbling is complaining which is evil because it is the manifestation of faithlessness (Numbers 14:26-30, John 6:43, Philippians 2:14, and James 5:9).
God’s faithfulness
Furthermore, Paul assures you that “God is faithful in letting you not be tempted beyond that which you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13b). He will moderate the temptations to fit your ability.
Therefore, you have the ability to overcome temptations because God is faithful in moderating them. Temptations will be in the intensity that you can bear. And you will be able to bear them just like Job bore the temptations that went his way (Job 1-4).
Additionally, your continued acceptance and reception of God’s delivering work in your life is the key to victory over temptations. And God is faithful in continually delivering you from temptations.
Finally, God provides you with a way out of temptation, either through His word or through any other way. And most often than not, this will be in your fleeing from temptation. In fact, Paul commanded the Corinthians to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Because they couldn’t serve both God and their idols (1 Corinthians 10:18-21).
Prayer/Blessing
Lord Jesus, I pray that You will help me to not set my heart on what is evil. I am relying on Your faithfulness to enable me to overcome the temptations that come my way.
Therefore, I know that You will deliver me from temptation. This is my humble prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Thessalonians 1-5 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
