You Can't Stand on Your Own

When my oldest daughter was going through her teenage years, I used to give her 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 as encouragement that God gives us the ability to resist the temptations of daily life.

It reads:

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.

Everything you need to turn back to God is there: your family, the local body and most importantly, the word.

But Paul also gives us a warning: Beware lest you think you can stand on your own. We get so wrapped up in the world, like the Israelites did in the desert (read vs. 1-11), that we ignore God and his ways.

Remember the Israelites fell; we can fall. The answer is found in verse 14: "Therefore, flee from idolatry." James 4:6-8 says, in part: "'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

My daughter and I still talk about faith and resisting temptation now that she is married and has a young daughter of her own.

This is a lesson for all -- self included -- that we can't ignore God.