1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God 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.
Many times Scripture is taken out of context. I have done it myself far more often than I would like to admit. The text verse for today’s Living In Spite Of thought is one that is one of the most misapplied verses in the Bible.
Men have said, including myself, that this verse teaches that God will never allow us to be tested or tried by more than we can handle, pointing out that the word temptation is translated trials in other Scriptures. The conclusion is that we can handle whatever comes our way as a child of God. The problem is, that this verse is NOT talking about temptation as in trials, but temptation as in sin!!
If you read this verse in context, chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians is speaking about Israel’s rebellion and sin. As a matter of fact the verse prior to our text says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
The take away from today’s thought is, first, take Scripture in context! I had a pastor many years ago teach me to read seven verses before and after a main thought to be sure to put it in it’s proper context. Second, we should always be aware that God will regularly allow situations to come up in our lives that we can’t handle. Because, He doesn’t want us to handle them. He wants us to depend upon His sufficient grace to carry us through whatever comes our way.
Have a good day, and keep life in it’s proper context today!