“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.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Have you seen this? One of the amusement parks I used to go to had this enormous roller coaster. It was so popular, you could stand in line for an hour or more just waiting to get on the thing. And if you were nervous about the ride and the screaming and the upside-downness and the throwing up, you spent that whole time in line just getting more and more scared.
At the very end of the line, though, just before you got on the ride, they had a little gate called a “chicken exit.” It was the way to get out if you just couldn’t do. You had to swallow your pride – and I never did it – but it was there.
Today’s verse is a powerful promise that God always provides a “chicken exit” when we’re tempted to sin. Except it would be better to call it a “courage exit.” It’s a way out of the line leading toward the sin you’ve been contemplating before you actually get on the ride. It’s a gate, an escape, provided by the Creator of all things as a one-last-chance gift to avoid the painful consequences of sin.
Next time, man up and take the chicken exit. The ride isn’t worth what it costs.
Think: Have you ever experienced an unexpected “way out” of a sin that you were prepared to go through with? What does it mean to you that God promises not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear?
Pray: Thank God that you will never face a temptation that is stronger than you are in his power. Ask him for the courage and faith to take his “way out” of temptation when you see it.
Do: This verse can be fascinating to talk about with a group of close Christian friends. Next time you’re hanging out, bring up this promise from God that he provides a way out of temptation and ask if anyone has ever seen this happen. You might be surprised.