When tragedy strikes, we have several Bible verses we like to quote to bring comfort to ourselves and others. A popular one Christians like to use is “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” And while the Bible does use those words, the self-empowerment we try to gain from that verse often falls so short when the weakness of our body and spirit leave us overwhelmed. So what is this verse actually saying, and what does it tell us about hope during temptation?
We don’t got this
In a culture where we’re told we need to believe in ourselves and foster a more positive self-image, these words from God can seem so encouraging. “If God is allowing this in my life, He must know I can handle it!” We believe we just need to dig deep and find our inner strength to get through whatever we’re going through. We grit our teeth and tell ourselves “I got this.”
The problem comes when we realize that this is completely opposite of everything we see in the Bible. We frequently see warnings and reminders against trusting in ourselves, relying on our works, or assuming we have any power whatsoever.
Our understanding is flawed
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
It is God who matures us
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Phillipians 2:12-13)
Our strength is from God, not us
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
When we face difficulty, whether it’s the temptation to sin or trying to make it in a broken world, it’s dangerous to put faith in our own ability to survive, let alone thrive. When we look at these verses that tell us to put our trust and faith in God, then we can only conclude that putting faith in ourselves is to make the mistake that we are God.
Yet not only do we risk making ourselves a god when we use this verse as a form of empowerment, but oftentimes we don’t realize this verse is about sin, not the struggles of life.
What’s really being said
First of all, let’s look at the actual verse.
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)
The key to understanding any verse in the Bible is to look at what’s happening around it. It’s easy to make a verse mean anything when we only look at that cluster of words. However, we honor God and His word when we are willing to push aside our own interpretations by focusing first on why something is being said. So let’s briefly look at what Paul is talking about.
Leading up to this, Paul has been discussing Israel’s failures. It’s no secret that someone could open up the Old Testament, start reading anywhere, and quickly find Israel falling into sin and idolatry again. In the verses leading up to this 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul is reminding his readers of some broad sins that Israel fell into.
- Idolatry (v. 7)
- Immorality (v. 8)
- Testing God (v. 9)
- Grumbling (v. 10)
But why bring all of this up? If we go back, Paul ends chapter 9 by comparing the Christian life to a race.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
Paul is encouraging Christians to be purposeful in their lives. They aren’t meant to live flippantly or without aim, but instead should always be seeking Christ. From here, he begins chapter 10 by drawing their attention to ancient Israel. Even though they were all part of the same experiences, many of them were still enemies of God. They didn’t all run their race with purpose.
and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. (1 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Then, before listing off the various ways Israel fell into sin, he sets up his entire point. And this is important to grasp, because what he says here will directly tie into 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. (1 Corinthians 10:6)
Why do we always see Israel mess up time after time, despite having such a direct connection to God? Because Israel is no different from us. They would be saved by God, dedicating themselves to Him and purging sin from their presence. Then time would wear on, they would start drifting, and soon find themselves in the exact same place.
And Paul clues us in to precisely why Israel would continue this pattern. After the shock of pointing out that Israel is an example for us, then listing off all the familiar ways they fall into sin just like we do, he says something important.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Standing up to fall
Why did Israel fall? Why do we fall so often? That lovely, deceitful little thing called “pride.” How often do we think we’re fine, relying on our own strength and mind to find joy and purpose in life? How often does God need to break us down because we didn’t realize how blinded we were by pride?
After all of this. After encouraging Christians to keep pursuing Christ, pointing out Israel’s constant fall into sin, then explaining why their pride and trust in their own strength would lead them into sin, we are hit with a direct call away from relying on our strength.
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)
This verse isn’t an encouragement to believe in ourselves or make us feel like we have more strength and determination than we realize. Whether we admit it or not, we already have plenty of trust in ourselves. We are already filled to bursting with self-assurance and a positive image of ourselves.
After all, how would we fall into idolatry if we weren’t so certain that we know what we need? Whatever sin we find ourselves falling into, it inevitably stems from trusting in ourselves more than God.
Yet this verse is filled with such hope. It reveals 3 things we must absolutely realize if we are to handle the temptation to sin.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man
First, our sin isn’t special. The specifics of it may be unique to us, but the core of our temptation goes as far back as human history. There is great comfort in this because nothing about our sin is surprising to God.
God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able
This really has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. We aren’t faithful. We aren’t strong. We aren’t capable. But God is. He’s in control, and He doesn’t abandon us.
but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Israel had plenty of opportunities to separate themselves from those things that tempted them to sin. Likewise, we aren’t locked into a sin-bound path. Whatever sin we struggle with most, we aren’t required to fall into it.
The desire to sin will come. On this side of eternity, living in this broken world and still struggling against our sin nature means God will be killing our sin until we stop drawing breath. The question, then, is what we do about it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 is clear. When sin comes, we have an escape. We rarely take it because that escape is drastic and often requires us to let go of that small hope that our sin will finally bring us lasting pleasure.
Our good and faithful God always provides us a way to avoid sin. Not through sheer determination or belief in ourselves. Trust in strength is what gets us in trouble, and only full reliance on the strength of Him who cannot fail will carry us through.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalm 46:1-3)
