12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
V. 12 - “Therefore” - Now, Christians, learn from others’ mistakes. You do not need to go to the school of hard knocks. “Experience is a dear school, but fools will learn in no other way.” (B. Franklin) (I think that is who said that.) We do not need to screw up our lives by making bad decisions. Well, actually that is how we screw up our lives - making bad decisions. When we operate our lives without all the facts or ramifications of the situations we face, making good decisions is blind luck. (Pro 17:10; Eccl 7:5) Preaching, teaching, mentoring each other in our faith is essential for our growth in Christ.
“Let him who thinks he stands take heed” - I just read today in Psalm 10: the psalmist is bragging how well he is doing, and then a little trouble happens and he appeals to the Lord for help. (See also: Pro 8:33) Apparently he got a little over-confident. That is a reminder to us that any success we have is because of the Lord and our faith in Him. When things seem to be going well for you, don’t think, “Look at what I’ve done!”, or “I did this!”
V. 13 - “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man” - You may think that “this” has never happened to anyone else. But we see in Ecclesiastes, “So there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9)
“God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” - Don’t Panic. You are not on your own. Fighting against temptation and sin seems overwhelming at times - is there nothing I can do to stop this litany of failures? It is not you against the forces of evil, by yourself. Praise the Lord! We read in Ephesians, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) Although demonic forces are arrayed against us, Jesus has overcome all this! He is victorious! “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. “ (Pro. 3:5-6) I know that is Old Testament, but the thought is the same. We constantly fight against temptations and sin, and will constantly fail unless we call upon Jesus, trust in Him, rely on Him. See: “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zec. 4:6)
So the following from Ephesians shows us the tools: “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:12-17)
“but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” - That is: you are not one your own in this spiritual battle. Do not be deceived, your decisions with regard to temptation and sin is a spiritual battle. Will you follow after your own ungodly lusts, or will you let the Lord guide you. “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18-19)
God Himself is deeply invested in your well-being. He is providing His Holy Spirit to each of us. Think on that! God’s own Spirit is in you. He is not forced upon you, but is ever ready to act whenever you ask. See also: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life… Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:18-25)
Keep yourself in the love of God. He is able, and He will keep you from stumbling in sin when you ask. Think on this: humbling yourself before and to God, praying to Him will bring you blameless to Him, with great joy. Because we have someone who has all glory, majesty, dominion and authority before God’s throne speaking for us, defending us, who gave His life for us.
What more could you ask?
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