It takes a Willing Heart to Overcome Temptation

"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

Wow! That scripture packs quite a promise. "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." Yet, so many still fall into sin. What is the deal?

There is a problem with that promise.

", but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

So why do we still fall into sin if He promised to also provide the way of escape along with the temptation?

Many, many, many times the way of escape is as simple as leaving through the front door, or not going there in the first place, or simply changing the friends you hang with. But you say, "The party is too much fun, or the situation is too titillating, or if I didn't have these friends I wouldn't have any friends.

Therein lies the problem. So, so often the way of escape is right there free for the taking, but so many of us really don't want to take it. I know I never did until my eyes were opened as to how important it is to take the way of escape.

Though I am guilty of many, many sins I had two main ones that I struggled with: Promiscuity involving fornication and drunkenness. Prior to my being born again I was not interested in any way of escape. I personally sought out the opportunity for both sins on purpose. The way of escape could be right in front of my face, but I wasn't going to take it.

My born again experience came about because of a relationship that went awry. I was told by my spiritual mentor involved in effecting my born again experience that I could never expect a relationship to truly workout unless I got things right with God first.

Since an illicit relationship was the catalyst that brought me to a point of decision that caused me to choose between God or the lifestyle I so loved to partake in, God worked on my proclivity to indulge in promiscuity first once I chose Him over my sinful lifestyle. The message from Him was simple: "I had better learn to recognize the situations that got me into trouble and just not go there." 99.9% of the time the way of escape was right there for me free for the taking. All I had to do was recognize the need to take it and do so.

I also needed a willing heart to have the strength to take the way of escape.

"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8

When my heart was not so willing and I slipped, God was diligent to discipline me and increase my resolve and willingness.

One time my heart was fully willing to take the way of escape and the door was continually slammed in my face as I attempted to take it. God saw my heart. He also saw me moving against my will into a situation where I would quite possibly be tempted beyond what I was able to endure. Then and only then did He provide a way of escape that was out of my control.

God is able, but we have to be willing. If you don't have a willing heart, ask Him for one!