Today's Passage: 1 Corinthians 10

I just couldn't help myself...  It just looked so good I had to eat it,  It was such a great deal I couldn't pass it up,  It looked like so much fun, I just couldn't help myself.  I here phrases like this all the time from teenagers, but even as adults we fall into the same trap of claiming that we can't stop our compulsively sinful behavior.

In the first 13 verses of this chapter Paul outlines some warnings that are taken straight from Israel's mistake filled history.  Paul's final warning is found in verse 12:

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

He then follows it with a description that should bring hope to anyone struggling to get free from a sin.  He says:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

How many times have you made the same mistake?  We often let our selves get to a point where we think we can't change something if we have struggled with it for long enough.  Maybe it's smoking... Maybe it's cussing... Maybe it's porn... Maybe it's alcohol... Maybe it's choosing to spend more time with your hobby then your family.  What ever the compulsive  sin is there is hope because God hasn't allowed it to tempt you beyond what you can repel. 

So what is the first step in overcoming the temptation?  Focus on God.  What's the second?  Find a group of believers that will help and hold you accountable.   Third?  Celebrate small victories and get right back up when you stumble.

If you are struggling with a sin that you feel has overwhelmed you please don't hide it and hope that it will go away.  There are plenty of people around you that would like to help all you have to do is ask.  Break free, Fight back!