Thought for 18 January

 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

Today’s reading gives us a measure of reassurance and encouragement.  I have come across folks in my own life who have clearly stated that they are just not good enough to come to church, that there are things they have done in their own lives which they considered unforgiveable.

Paul teaches us that temptation is normal.  It has been normal since the days of creation when Adam was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit and has been normal ever since.  With the temptation to do the wrong thing being normal, who can honestly say that they have never given in to it?

We can look at others and be thankful we have not done something as bad as they have done, but that, in itself, is making a judgement on them which is also unacceptable.  In the book of James 4:12, it is written: ‘God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us.  He alone has the power to save or destroy.  So what right have you to condemn your neighbour?’

Paul tells us we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear so if we knowingly do something or say something we later acknowledge to be wrong, saying or thinking; ‘I just couldn’t help it’ or ‘it was on the spur of the moment’, it was nobody’s fault but our own.  The wise advice given to me some time ago (and I’ve shared it before) was to ‘engage my brain before engaging my mouth/my fists/my send button – but especially, my mouth’.

Prayer – Merciful and compassionate God, you are the Rock of our Salvation, the place of safety to which we can retire and take refuge, for you shelter us,  providing safety and security from our enemies. We give you praise and thanks for always being attentive to our call. We praise your name and thank you for your saving grace and plead that you grant us courage to combat the addictive, testing predicaments we face day by day.    Amen