The Way of Escape From Temptation
GOOD MORNING: This morning, we’re going to look mostly at one verse from our epistle lesson—1 Corinthians 10:13. It’s a verse that’s been special to me as it was the first verse I ever memorized at our RE Summer Camp in the early 1980s, and it’s been an anchor for my walk with Christ ever since.
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 provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it
Before this, in verses 1–12, Paul has been warning the Corinthians not to misuse their freedom in Christ as an excuse to flirt with sin. In verse 12 he warns,
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Right after that warning, Paul gives this incredible encouragement: There is a way of escape. But this “escape” doesn’t mean we’re plucked out of the situation, nor does it mean we get to avoid hard circumstances. It means that God strengthens us so we can make it through trials or temptations. The escape is not always out of the fire, but often through the fire—walking with Christ.
When Paul says God will make a “way of escape,” he’s saying that way is always Jesus Himself. So let’s break this verse down into Four principles we must remember when facing temptation.
First, your temptation is not unusual. The verse begins, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. Temptation here can mean a direct enticement to sin, but it can also mean a trial or test. In God’s providence, every temptation is an opportunity to trust Christ more deeply.
When we’re in the thick of it, it’s easy to think, Nobody knows what I’m going through. No one understands this struggle. Now, there is always a sense that it may be true, but there are always brothers and sisters who have had similar struggles. And Paul assures us—every temptation we face has been faced before. It is a common human struggle. And importantly—Jesus Himself has faced it.
Hebrews 4:15–16 tells us: We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
You are never facing something that Jesus doesn’t understand. That means when temptation comes, we are running to One who “gets it” completely—and yet overcame it perfectly.
Second, God remains faithful in it. The verse continues: but God is faithful. This is the anchor. The stability. The certainty in the middle of the storm. God’s faithfulness means He doesn’t change. James 1:17 says He is, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Not only is God faithful to His own character—He’s keeping you for your inheritance. Philippians 1:6 says: he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
That means when temptation comes, we hold to this truth: God hasn’t abandoned me. He hasn’t forgotten me. He’s faithful to keep me to the end.
Third, God puts limitations on temptation’s power, so we can escape through Jesus. Paul says God, will not let you be tempted beyond your ability
We have to be careful here.
This doesn’t mean “God will never give you more than you can handle”, if you mean that in the sense that you yourself can handle it without God.
That’s a common encouraging saying, but can miss the point of the verse. Paul himself said in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
If St. Paul was given more than he could handle on his own, then we have no chance to handle everything without God’s help. The point of the verse is—we will never face more than we can handle with God’s strength, which is a strength that is always available to us when we, his children, ask our loving father.
When temptation comes, it has already been “filtered” through the loving hand of God. It can’t destroy you, but it can drive you into deeper dependence on Him to provide the way of escape from the temptation
Notice the timing—with the temptation comes a path away from it. God’s grace is not early or late—it’s right on time. I could make a great Lord of the Rings joke there, but I’m not still at camp. That way of escape might look different in different situations:
• Sometimes it’s literally running away, like Joseph from Potiphar’s wife.
• Sometimes it’s standing firm and resisting (James 4:7).
• Sometimes it’s calling a brother or sister for help (Galatians 6:2).
But in every case—it’s about turning to Christ. Psalm 119:11 says:
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Missionary Jim Elliot said this. “Don’t put yourself in a position to see how good your resistance is. When you feel temptation coming, get out of there!”
Lastly, Trusting in Christ, means you can endure temptation. The verse ends: “… that you may be able to endure it.” God wants you to endure it in a way that grows your faith and trust in Him, strengthens your love for Him, and shapes you into the image of Christ.
Yes, we will sometimes fail—but 1 John 2:1 reminds us: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Victory is possible, but forgiveness is certain for those in Christ.
Jesus is willing to walk with you as temptation walks with you. He’s willing to deliver you out of temptation by making a way for your escape. But in return, He asks you to be willing to live your life for Him.
True life is found only in Christ. Jesus said “I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly.” At times following Jesus Christ will be hard, it can be very costly, as you see Paul talk about in 2nd Corinthians, but in the end, you will always say “it was worth it.”
