The promise of a way out of your life’s troubles is an important encouragement that the Apostle Paul recorded in his first letter to the Corinthians. I would tell you that this verse has been learned by many followers of Christ, and it brings a lot of comfort when we are tempted by the things of this world. The Oxford Dictionary defines comfort as, “The easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress.” I know that when I am working through a temptation, it brings great comfort to know that He has provided a way out.
1. Do you have things at home that bring you comfort? Why?
2. Are there other Scriptures that bring you comfort? Which ones?
It may seem strange to talk about a Bible verse that brings comfort. Many of us think of blankets, pillows, socks, coffee, and warm, heavy foods when thinking of comfort. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, it reads, “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.”
The verse starts with a statement that all temptations, troubles, trials, and testings, are “common to man.” Many of us fall into the trap that our temptation, trouble, or trials are so different, that people just do not understand how difficult our temptations are. Well, the Scriptures here are revealing that our temptations are common to every man. When you struggle with addiction, pride, and selfishness, these struggles are common to everyone. They are every person’s battle!
3. Do you fall into the trap that your troubles are greater than another person’s troubles? Can you explain how and why this is the case?
4. How does it make you feel if you believe that your temptations are more difficult than someone else’s? Is this how we are called to respond?
Well, the verse continues on and says that “God is faithful.” Here is another part of the verse that seems to bring a lot of comfort to us, but we may not really understand. Many believe that because God is faithful, that means He will answer all our prayers the way we want them answered. God being faithful reveals that He cannot act against His character or His nature. This should comfort us, but oftentimes, we are so trapped by our circumstances or beliefs about our temptations that it feels like God does not care about our situation. However, the promise continues with, “He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.” I have seen many people use this verse as a way to say, “I have got this,” but we must remember that we may have this “with God’s help.”
5. “God is faithful.” Does this bring comfort, or does this scare you? Why or why not?
6. Are you an “I got this” kind of person, or “I got this with God’s help” kind of person? Explain why and when.
MacDonald states, “He does not promise to deliver us from temptation or testing, but He does promise to limit its intensity. He further promises to provide the way of escape, that we may be able to bear it.” As I studied this, the “way of escape” has a military connotation. It is like an army that is fighting and fully surrounded, and then all of a sudden, they see a way of escape to safety. It seems very comforting to me to know that other believers have gone on before me, and they have lived with this promise that He will provide an escape.
7. When you are surrounded by circumstances that seem so overwhelming, do you struggle to see the “way of escape”?
8. What are some reasons that people do not use the escape route?
The last part of the verse reveals that He will provide a way of escape so “that you may be able to endure it.” Another way of saying this is that you may be able to hold out. God is providing a way for you to hold out or to endure, but these words do not often fit our idea of what God should be doing for us. We cannot be too confident that we can take care of it ourselves, but we cannot be so upset that we will have to hold out or endure it either. McGee writes, “God permits us to be tempted because He knows how much we can take; and He always provides a way of escape if we trust Him and take advantage of it.”
9. Why do we think God’s promises will eliminate our responsibility to endure trouble, trial, or temptation?
10. Has your comfort been increased by this promise of God? How so?