INTRODUCTION

Navigate the trials of temptation and discover how to attain victory over human weakness in this insightful guide. Drawing on conservative Protestant theology and principles, this article offers practical, Bible-centered advice for overcoming temptation and harnessing God’s strength. A must-read for those seeking to strengthen their spiritual walk.

Human weakness and temptation are common experiences shared by all people, regardless of their religious, cultural, or historical context. From a conservative Protestant perspective, the Bible provides not only examples of individuals who have faced and overcome temptation but also practical guidance and principles that can help us gain victory over our human weakness.

Understanding Temptation

Firstly, it is vital to understand that temptation, in and of itself, is not sin. Temptation becomes sin when it is acted upon. As stated in James 1:14-15 (ESV), “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Recognizing Our Weakness

Recognizing our human weakness is an essential step in gaining victory over temptation. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in Romans 7:18-19 (ASV), “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice.” Recognizing our weakness prompts us to lean on God’s strength and not rely solely on our own willpower.

Dependence on God

Victory over human weakness requires dependence on God. This truth is echoed in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV), where Paul relates God’s message: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, it is in acknowledging our weakness and relying on God’s strength that we can find victory over temptation.

The Role of Prayer

Jesus taught about the crucial role of prayer in overcoming temptation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he advised his disciples, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). Prayer is a powerful tool that helps to align our will with God’s, strengthen our resolve, and seek divine help in moments of temptation.

The Word of God as Defense

The Word of God is a significant resource in the struggle against temptation. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He used Scripture to counter each temptation (Matthew 4:1-11, ESV). Consistently studying and meditating on God’s Word can equip us to do the same.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

While it’s crucial to avoid a misinterpretation that overly emphasizes miraculous intervention, it is biblically sound to acknowledge the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us overcome our human weakness. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:16 (ESV), “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

DIGGING DEEPER

1 Corinthians 10:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹³No 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.

No temptation has overtaken you – What temptation the apostle refers to here is not quite certain. It is probable, however, that he refers to such as would, in their circumstances, have a tendency to induce them to forsake their allegiance to their Lord and to lead them into idolatry and sin. These might be either open persecutions or afflictions on account of their faith, or they might be the various allurements which were spread around them from the prevalence of idolatry. They might be the open attacks of their enemies, or the sneers and the derision of the frivolous and the great. The design of the apostle evidently is, to show them that, if they were faithful, they had nothing to fear from any such forms of temptation, but that God was able to bring them through them all. The sentiment in the verse is a very important one since the general principle here stated is as applicable to Christians now as it was to the Corinthians.

Overtaken you – Seized upon you, or assailed you. As when an enemy grasps us and attempts to hold us fast.

But such as is common to man – εἰ μὴ ἀνθρώπινος ei mē anthrōpinos. Such as is “human.” The sense is evident. It means such as human nature is liable to, and has been often subjected to; such as the human powers, under the divine aid may be able to resist and repel. The temptations which they had been subjected to were not such as would be suited to angelic powers, and such as would require angelic strength to resist, but they were such as human nature had been often subjected to, and such as man had often contended with successfully. There is, therefore, here a recognition of the doctrine that man has natural ability to resist all the temptations to which he is subject; and that consequently, if he yields, he is answerable for it. The “design” of the apostle is to comfort the Corinthians and to keep their minds from despondency. He had portrayed their danger; he had shown them how others had fallen, and they might be led to suppose that in such circumstances they could not be secure. He, therefore, tells them that they might still be safe, for their temptations were such as human nature had often been subject to, and God was able to keep them from falling.

And God is faithful – This was the only source of security, and this was enough. If they looked only to themselves, they would fall. If they depended on the faithfulness of God, they would be secure. The sense is, not that God would keep them without any effort of their own; not that he would secure them if they plunged into temptation; but that if they used the proper means, if they resisted the temptation, and sought his aid, and depended on his promises, then he would be faithful. This is everywhere implied in the Scriptures, and to depend on the faithfulness of God, otherwise than in the proper use of means and in avoiding the places of temptation, is to tempt him, and provoke him to wrath; see the notes on Matt. 4.

Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able – This is a general promise, just as applicable to all Christians as it was to the Corinthians. It implies:

(1) That all the circumstances, causes, and agents that lead to temptation are under the control of God. God is indirectly responsible for all events in human history because he allowed sin to enter the world, as opposed to just destroying Satan, Adam, and Eve and starting over. However, Satan and his horde of demons, as well as human imperfection (i.e., our sinful nature) are directly responsible for the temptation Christians face. Every man that tempts another; every fallen spirit that is engaged in this; every book, picture, place of amusement; every charm of music, and of song; every piece of indecent statuary; and every plan of business, of gain or ambition, are all under the control of God. He can check them; he can control them; he can paralyze their influence; he can destroy them. (compare Matt. 6:13) God is indirectly responsible for all temptations that befall Christians.

(2) When people are tempted, it is because God permits it allows it. He Himself does not tempt human beings James 1:13; He does not infuse evil thoughts into the mind; He does not create an object of temptation to place in our way, but He tolerates or allows it to be placed there by others. When we are tempted, therefore, we are to remember that it is because He allows or permits it; not because He does it. His indirect action is that of allowance, not of creation. We are to remember, too, that there is some good reason why it is thus permitted evil, old age, and death; and that it may be turned in some way to his glory, and to an object lesson for humanity. For more information on this, see …

(3) There is a certain extent to which we are able to resist temptation. There is a limit to our power. There is a point beyond which we are not able to resist it. We do not have the strength of angels.

(4) That limit will, in all cases, be beyond the point to which we are tempted. If not, there would be no sin in falling, any more than there is sin in the oak when it is prostrated before the tempest.

(5) If people fall into sin, under the power of temptation, they only are to blame. They have the strength to resist all the temptations that assail them, and God has given the assurance that no temptation shall occur which they shall not be able, by His aid, to resist. In all instances, therefore, where people fall into sin; in all the yielding to passion, to allurement, and to vice, man is to blame, and must be responsible to God. And this is especially true of Christians, who, whatever may be said of others, cannot plead that there was not power sufficient to meet the temptation or to turn aside its power.

but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also – He will, at the same time that He allows the trial or temptation to befall us, make a way of deliverance; He will save us from being entirely overcome by it. Keep in mind that the escape, the way out might very well be death, which is being asleep in death where there is no more pain and suffering while we await the resurrection at Jesus’ Second Coming.

So that you will be able to endure it – Or that you may be able to bear up under it, or endure it. God knows what His people are able to endure, and as He has entire control of all that can affect them, He will adapt all trials to their strength and will enable them to bear all that is appointed to them. This is a general promise and is as applicable to other Christians as it was to the Corinthians. It was to them a positive promise, and to all, in the same circumstances, it may be regarded as such now. It may be used, therefore:

(1) As a ground of encouragement to those who are in temptation and trial. God knows what they are able to endure, and he will sustain them in their temptations. It matters not how severe the trial; or how long it may be continued; or how much they may feel their own feebleness, yet He who has appointed the trial is abundantly able to uphold them. They may, therefore, repose their all upon Him, and trust to His sustaining grace.

(2) It may be used as an argument, that none who are true Christians, and who are thus tried, shall ever fall away, and be lost. The promise is positive and certain, that a way shall be made for their escape, and they shall be able to bear it. God is faithful to them, and though he might suffer them to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear, yet He will not, but will secure an egress from all their trials. With this promise in view, how can it be believed that any true Christians who are tempted will be suffered to fall away and perish? If they do, it must be from one of the following causes; either because God is not faithful; or because He will permit them to be tempted above what they are able to bear; or because He will not make a way for their escape. Since no Christian can believe either of these, it follows that they who are converted shall be kept unto salvation.

by Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews

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