“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
I am very familiar with this verse, and if you’re like me, it’s not one that I frequently think of correctly. Instead of fleeing from temptations, I often have a tendency to rationalize or make excuses for choosing to sin. (Yes, sin is a choice!) During my personal Bible time this morning, the Lord opened my eyes to the truth of this verse and what the implications are for me when I do not choose to avail myself of His protection. (Isn’t that wonderful how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Word of God each time we open it?)
When I choose to sin, to willfully embrace the temptations that come my way, I am, in essence, rejecting God. I am choosing to put something before Him, and that is idolatry. If it is a “fleshly” sin… a choice to do something that satisfies my carnal nature, but is wrong in the sight of God, the idol that I have chosen to worship is ME. Whether it is overeating, spending time on social media to the neglect of time with the Lord, participating in gossip, or using bad language… anything I wouldn’t do with Jesus right beside me… I am then choosing myself and my desires over God and His ways, and this is idolatry.
I have always thought of an idol as being the item with which the sin is committed, but in reality, the food, the computer, the conversations, these are not the idols. The idol is ME. When I choose the temptation, I am no longer “… a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1b). I have chosen to put myself and my wants before God’s, thus making myself the focus of my servitude. I am allowing myself to be in bondage to the sin to satisfy my own desires.
I Corinthians 10:31 states, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This is one of those times when the irony of a verse speaks so loudly to me that I would chuckle if it wasn’t so on target with one of my biggest struggles. For me, overeating is a type of idol worship because I choose to defile the temple of God with unhealthy habits. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds me, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Don’t get me wrong, having ice cream or cookies, or bread and butter, etc., is not a sin, but when I choose to eat a dozen cookies instead of one or two or a family-sized bag of popcorn in one sitting… anything in incredible excess of what my body needs or indulge in the foods that do not promote health… for me, that is sin. I am intentionally choosing my physical, fleshly wants before those of God’s desires for me.
The recent realization that I have been putting myself before Him in so many ways, so many times, and making myself an idol of worship, is heartbreaking, but I know I can have victory! I understand that I must ask myself if what I plan to do is to the glory of God, and if the answer is “no”, I need to seek that way of escape that God has promised to provide for me. It won’t be hard to find because God always makes it easy to locate. I only need to listen to His Spirit’s leading. The hard part with facing temptation is deciding whether or not to take the way of escape that God provides.
Additionally, I know that choosing to follow through on the temptations that come in my life is not unforgivable. I know God is faithful and just to forgive me every time I confess my sins to Him, and He will cleanse me from all unrighteousness even if I have to come before Him again and again. He loves me and promises that He is ready, willing, and able to forgive every sin in my life… past, present, and future! What a wonderful Saviour, I have! What incredible love He has for me despite all the times I’ve disappointed and sinned against Him. He has told me in Jeremiah 31:3 that His love for me is everlasting!
Lastly, I also have the assurance that as I grow in my faith (which is slow, but ongoing), the Holy Spirit promises to continue to teach me until I see my Saviour’s face. At that time, I know the work be complete. Philippians 1:6 reminds me of that. My prayer is that, while I walk this earth, the times of putting myself before the Lord will become less and less, and He will be exalted and honored in my heart and actions more and more.
I need Thee ev’ry hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.
I need Thee ev’ry hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou are nigh.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.
(from “I Need Thee” by Robert Lowry and Annie S. Hawks)
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16
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Struggling with self-worship? Take it to the Lord in prayer. He alone is faithful to forgive, help, and deliver you!