God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle
Speaker: Lead Pastor Dustin Aguilar
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 9:27 — 10:6, Exodus 32:6, Exodus 32:35, Numbers 25:9, Numbers 14:3
What to Believe:
The context of 1 Corinthians 10:13 does not teach us that God will never give us more than we can handle, as commonly understood today, but rather it is a warning from Paul to not let our sin disqualify us from the plan God has for us, and a reminder that God will provide a way out when we’re tempted.
When Paul references God not being pleased with Israel in the verses preceding verse 13, he gives examples of moments when Israel disqualified themselves by engaging in various sins, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, grumbling, fear, etc. and wants us to be aware that we could fall into the same traps, if we’re not careful.
1 Corinthians 10:6 correlates to Exodus 32:6
1 Corinthians 10:9 correlates to Exodus 32:35 and or Numbers 25:9
1 Corinthians 10:10 correlates to Numbers 14:3
Israel shows us what humanity is really made of and Paul wants us to know that while anyone can fall no one has to and that our sin is nothing unique, but common.
Israelites in the Old Testament did not have the Holy Spirit or the scriptures like we do. Since we do, our attitude should be “in what ways am I behaving like them”, especially since we have less of an excuse. GOD IS FAITHFUL AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE IN TO SIN!!!
How to Obey:
The moment of temptation is not the moment of sin. Temptation is the moment before one gives in or overcomes. There will never be a time when there is zero temptation for a Christian.
The ways to overcome temptation?
1. Flee, run away from temptation - remove yourself from the place of temptation
2.. Endure with patience
3. Have a plan to resist - for example, with sexual temptation: Get an accountability partner AND reach out when you are tempted, not just once you have sinned.
4. Practice gratitude for everything - avoid Complaining or grumbling.
5. Find works of God in Scripture, testify to what God has done in your life, and listen testimonies of what God has done in others lives.
The solution to certain types of temptation is simply patience and endurance.
How to Walk Intimately with God:
PRAY: “God, show me how to resist temptation today.”