Seeing the Way of Escape

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)

The truth of this verse is evident….temptation is in our life and experienced by all. Praise God that truth is wrapped in the promise that He will faithfully provide a way of escape for us out of any temptation that comes upon us. We don’t have to wonder if there will be a way out, we can count on it!

Lately, one of God’s more prominent escape routes for me is to see the consequence ahead of time if I give in to the temptation. Much of what I am tempted with on a daily basis is not new to me. I have enough of a track record to rely upon to know what will happen if I give in to the enticement. Let me share a few personal examples.

If I partake of certain foods, I know they will lead to an eating binge. No doubt about it! Without fail (like alcohol to an alcoholic) control will be lost and all resolve to eat in a healthy way will be thrown out the window. If I read material from a ministry that at one time had a powerful hold on me, I will once again be in the throws of emotional dependency and recaptured by the very things from which I have sought freedom. If I give my mind over to negative thinking and wrong perceptions, I will spiral into a pit of darkness. If I allow others to be the center of my world instead of giving God that place, I will become disillusions, disappointed, and discouraged.

How do I know the results of each thing mentioned? I have fallen to those temptations too many times and the outcome has always been the same. The knowledge of that is my way of escape. If I say ‘no’ to the temptation I walk in victory and if I yield to it I face defeat. Last night I experienced victory in the area of not reading the ministry material but I admit defeat when it came to an eating binge. I rejoice in the one and accept today’s fresh start for the other.

Today will be a day which will entail temptations and yet it will also be a day filled with ways of escape. By God’s grace, I plan to take the escape routes each time.

Father, temptations and attacks come against my physical, spiritual, emotional, and social worlds. May the ways of escape be clearly discerned and consistently taken by me throughout this day. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16