God's Reasonable Expectations

1 Corinthians 10:13-14 says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptations he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Paul says, “Flee idolatry,” with all this stuff about how God will help you escape temptation, and how this is not an unreasonable request.  I think to the Corinthians, idolatry may have been one of those sins that were so prevalent in their culture that Christians thought it was going a bit too far to try to avoid them.  In 21^st Century America, these might be premarital sex, immodest clothing, of even “little” things like gossiping, joking inappropriately…

But when God asks us to refrain from these things, he is not being unreasonable; he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.  With the temptation he will also provide a way of escape.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®(ESV®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.