Run to Jesus!
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 1:6-13 NKJV.
I’ve been trying to remember the name of a song for several weeks and could only think of a few words. Finally gave up this morning and looked it up on google. The name of the song is… “Somebody’s Knockin” by Terri Gibbs. Terri was born blind and began to play the piano at the age of three. Here are a few of the lyrics of the song:
Somebody’s knockin’ should I let him in,
Lord it’s the devil would you look at him
I’ve heard about him but I never dreamed,
he’d have blue eyes and blue jeans
If you have ever struggled with any kind of temptation, you know the truth contained in those words. That old devil knows exactly how to tempt you and those temptations can be very powerful indeed. The apostle Paul apparently knew all about temptation too as the Holy Spirit moved him to write 1 Corinthians 10:13. Reading from the first of the chapter we are given a brief history lesson about temptation. Temptation has been around for a long time and it has been causing a tremendous amount of pain for a long time. The solution we are told through Paul is to find “the way of escape.”
The “way of escape” may not be obvious at first and we must be looking for it, seeking it, and trying to find it. What will work for one person may not work for another. Here are some examples. İbrahim Yücel, who lives in Turkey, had been trying to stop smoking for many years. His way of escape was a metal wire cage helmet he created that made it impossible to light a cigarette or to smoke it. I don’t know how that has turned out for him, but hope it worked! Mark Malkoff found an unusual way of escape from his Internet addiction. He was online every waking moment and it was interfering with everything in his life. His way of escape was to shut himself up in a tiny bathroom for five days sleeping in the bathtub. Locked in the bathroom for five days seems to have worked for him at least temporarily. It appears that the “way of escape” for one person may not be the “way of escape” for someone else.
The apostle Paul gives us the recommended “way of escape” in whatever form it may take. He says this, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Run, don’t walk, as fast as you can away from the temptation. I am reminded of Joseph of the Old Testament, who did exactly that. Potiphar’s wife continually tempted Joseph: “So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside (Genesis 39:10-12 NKJV).” Joseph did run from the temptation. In the short run, it was a costly decision, in the long run the decision resulted in the salvation of millions of people. So flee from temptation and run where? Run into the arms of Jesus! Run into God’s Word, run into fellowship with other believers, and run into communing with God in prayer. Run to Jesus!
(Finding the way of escape from temptation.)