"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, KJV).
I find great comfort and encouragement in this promise from God, one of my favorite Scriptures. Believing in this promise has saved me from falling into sin more times than I could ever begin to count.
As Christians, we are on the offensive. We do not have to cringe, trembling in our boots, wondering when Satan is going to attack again and what form it will take. We are the ones on the move. We are to be the aggressors, for we have God's promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us (Matthew 16:18).
There is no stronghold of Satan that cannot be recaptured for our Lord, who promises to fight for us. God's Word reminds us that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to the Lord Jesus, and He promises always to be with us, never to leave us.
Satan would have you believe that there is no hope for you. You are discouraged, you have financial problems physical problems, sorrow from losing loved ones. The whole world seems to be caving in on you, and Satan says, "God doesn't love or care for you. He can't help you. You're on your own. You might as well give up."
When that temptation comes, we cry out to God in believing prayer and we resist the enemy who is the author of depression. He is the author of negative thinking. He is the author of criticism, lies and all things that are contrary to the will of God.
If we are going to take a proper offense, we must live in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the reason our Savior - after commanding the disciples to go and preach the gospel to all men everywhere - also commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Act 1:8, KJV).
The key to escaping temptation and resisting sin is faith in the faithfulness of God to keep His promise that you will not be tempted more than you are able to bear.
I will not go into the spiritual battle unarmed, but will count on God's Holy Spirit to make a way of escape when temptation comes. I will tell others how they too can be victorious over temptation.
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