FAITHFUL IN TEMPTATION – PART 2

2 – The Character of Temptation:

…but YHVH is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13b. An understanding of these words makes it evident that the character of temptation is designed to do two things:

A -- Firstly, It exposes the feebleness of Man:
In 1 Corinthians 10:12 Paul says: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. The application of these words is both clear and challenging. Believers in Corinth were sure of their spiritual state, but so were the Israelites and they reaped disaster. So will we if we are self-confident in our spiritual lives. In and of ourselves we can never conquer temptation. We are slow to learn this lesson so we are constantly tested in order to expose our spiritual impotence. This is why Paul insists on the need for being vigilant, watchful and on the alert. For right when we think we are standing strong is when the enemy creeps over the fence and attacks. The character of temptation is also designed to:

B -- Disclose the faithfulness of YHVH:
YHVH is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Because YHVH knows all, He knows about all the circumstances that are associated with the testing and pressures of life. YHVH also knows about our feebleness which He complements with His divine strength in order to make us victors instead of victims over life's temptations. Here we find something on which we can rely completely, the faithfulness of YHVH. How beautifully this is illustrated in the Saviour’s intercessory prayer for Peter in the hour of his temptation and fall. Yeshua said: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. -- Luke 22:32. Our faithful Elohiym does the same for us; in His friendship with us He holds us up so that we will not give into temptation and fail. There is one last aspect of temptation for us to consider:

3 – The Conquest of Temptation:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but YHVH is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13. The [way to escape] is a vivid expression. It means a way out of a long, narrow pass, such as between mountains. The idea behind the expression is that of being surrounded by an army and then suddenly seeing an escape route to safety. In terms of believers Gospel that way of escape in found in Yeshua our Adonai. He who faced temptation, but never gave into it and He who triumphed over every assault of satan is the One who can lead us into conquest. This conquest involves two actions on our part:

A -- Firstly, A turning from Self:
In the moment of pressure we must realize that in and of ourselves there is no hope. To imagine we can stand in our own strength is to fail and ultimately to fall. We must admit like Paul: For I know that in me [that is, in my flesh,] dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. -- Romans 7:18. Realizing our own weakness we must turn from self and in so doing we perform the second action:

B. Turn to Moshiach:
YHVH will provide a way out. In Yeshua Moshiach we find, not a way of retreat, but a way of conquest. We not only resist temptation, but we conquer it and stand victorious through our Adonai. Joseph knew this when he was given courage to flee the seductive clutches of Potiphar's wife. Moses knew this when he declined to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and chose to be identified with the people of YHVH. Daniel knew this when he refused to be defiled with food from the king's table. New Testament Saints throughout the ages have known this same victory. This is why Paul could exclaim: -- Now thanks be unto YHVH, which always causeth us to triumph in Moshiach, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. -- 2 Corinthians 2:14.

Mark was very poor at spelling and on the day of a test he was stumped by many difficult words. Softly the tempter whispered, [Look at Jane's paper; she is an honour student and always gets them right!] Mark followed the suggestion and copied several answers. The teacher noticed his actions and was surprised because she had always thought of him as an honest boy. When it came time to collect the completed work, she noticed that Mark was having an inner struggle. After bowing his head for a moment, he suddenly tore up his paper. Although at first, he had yielded to temptation, he finally decided to take a zero rather than be dishonest. Calling him to her desk, the teacher said, [I was watching you Mark, and I want you to know that I am very proud of you for what you did just now. Today, you really passed a much greater examination than your spelling test! So, it is with us. When we are confronted with temptation and the inner conflict ensues, we must at that moment rely on YHVH, our faithful Father Elohiym, who promises to see us through.