Flee Temptation

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
~1 Corinthians 10:13-14

​1 Corinthians 10:13 is often used out of context.  It is a popular verse regarding avoiding sin and temptation.  While this is useful and encouraging for us to remember, out of context, it loses a lot of its meaning.  Therefore, let’s put this important verse back into the context Paul originally wrote and intended for it so that we can glean the truths and lessons God would teach us through this exhortation to flee temptation.
 
At the beginning of chapter ten, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Israelites’ sins in the wilderness and God’s judgment on them for trying to claim the promises of God while actively engaging in sin.  But God will not be mocked and swiftly put an end to those defaming His name through their vulgar conduct.  Within the context of this history lesson, Paul drops this important reminder that there is no new temptation under the sun. 
 
The temptation and allure of sin is not new, but God is faithful and will give us all that we need to withstand and flee from temptation.  This is an important reminder.  The Corinthians were living in a sin saturated, wicked, and overtly sexual society.  At every street corner and on every sign were reminders of the idolatry that permeated every part of life.  Therefore, the Corinthians needed this reminder to flee temptation and trust in God’s faithfulness to sustain them and help them stay pure and holy in a dark world.
 
We also need this reminder.  Like the Corinthians, we live in an era and culture that has erected many idols to worship and lifestyles that are contrary to God’s design.  While we might not have gravened images on every street corner that represent our idols, there are plenty of idols in the heart.  An idol is anything—desire, dream, person, object, goal—that takes the place of God by becoming all consuming, the center of life, the main motivator and thing that drives us or garners our deepest affections.  So while we may not have stone idols dotting our lives, there are plenty of other types of idols we can worship—fame, success, celebrities, sports, relationships. 
 
For this reason, we also need to be reminded that no temptation is before us that is not common to man and that God will be faithful to see us through the temptation and to the other side.  The Israelites succumbed to temptation and were judged for it.  We cannot dabble in idol worship and also worship the one true God.  Our God will not be mocked.  He is jealous for us since He redeemed and bought us at a great price.  Therefore, may we learn from the example of the Israelites and heed Paul’s exhortation to flee temptation and idolatry.  

“Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?  What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”
~1 Corinthians 10:18-22