“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he told the brethren that temptation is “common to man.” In other words, it is to be expected. Unfortunately, all of us have given in to temptation at one time or another. Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
However, even though we have sinned in the past, that does not mean that we must do so again in the future, giving in to the same temptations over and over. We need to learn how to find the “way of escape” so that we might keep ourselves from sin. In this article, we will discuss what the Scriptures teach about how to find the way of escape.
Recognize That There Will Be One
We will never find ourselves in a situation in which our only choice is to sin. How can we be sure of this? Remember what Paul said: “God is faithful.” He “will provide the way of escape.” Because He has promised it, we can be assured that it is so since “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
How strong is our faith in God? Do we believe His promise that a “way of escape” will be there for us with each temptation? If not, then we have a much bigger problem than just temptation. If we do not believe this promise, how can we believe God’s promise to save us? If we do not believe God’s promises, we cannot be saved (Hebrews 11:6). We need to believe that the way of escape is there if we hope to find it.
Learn to Discern Right from Wrong
In the context of our discussion, wrong is that which violates God’s law (1 John 3:4). Right is that which is in harmony with God’s law. The Scriptures train us “in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This makes a knowledge of the Scriptures essential if we hope to find the way of escape. Therefore, we must “be diligent” in learning how to “accurately [handle] the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
While we may certainly learn about the difference between right and wrong from others, ultimately we must take responsibility for ourselves. Some may lead us astray (cf. 1 Kings 13:7-10, 15-19, 20-24). The Bereans were commended because they did not blindly accept what Paul taught, but were “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). We need to remember that we are responsible for finding the way of escape for ourselves.
Have a Desire to Escape Sin
We must have a desire to “please [God] in all respects” (Colossians 1:10). It is possible for one to know what is right, but have a desire to do what is wrong anyway.
Why might one knowingly violate the law of God? It could be that they have a spirit of rebellion (Hebrews 10:26-29), a desire to please men (Galatians 1:10; 2:11-12), or they lack a sense of urgency about repudiating sin before they stand before the Lord in judgment (Hebrews 9:27; James 4:14; 2 Peter 3:10). Whatever the reason, if we do not want to escape sin, we will not pay attention to the way of escape that God has provided.
Consider Your Options
Any time we are tempted, we have the option to do what is right. Since the option to do right is there, we must consider what our choices might be.
For example, suppose some co-workers invite you to go with them to the bar and drink. What are your options? You could go with them and drink, though this would be wrong since both drunkenness and “social drinking” are condemned (1 Peter 4:3). You could go with them but not drink, but this would also be wrong since we are warned not to “be with heavy drinkers of wine” or even to “look on the wine when it is red” (Proverbs 23:20, 31). Or you could decline the invitation, which would be the right option. Even if you failed to take the initial way of escape and went to the bar, you could repent at any time, leave, and not compound your sin any further. In every situation we find ourselves, we have options as to how we will react. We must consider our options and find the choice that is right.
Be Sober-Minded
Peter warned about how the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We guard against Satan’s attacks by being “of sober spirit” (1 Peter 5:8). We often think of sober as the opposite of being drunk. Being drunk causes one to do things he should not do (cf. Proverbs 31:4-5). When we lose control of our senses, we are susceptible to sin.
We must “prepare [our] minds for action” and be “sober in spirit” so that we can be holy as God wants us to be (1 Peter 1:13-16). Our ability to find the way of escape depends upon how clearly we are thinking as we evaluate our options.
Conclusion
Once we find the way of escape, we need to take it. Recognizing it does no good if we do not take advantage of the opportunity to avoid sin. So let us continually work to avoid sin and put it out of our lives so that we might please the Lord.
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