Parte 3: The Divine Escape by Randal Matheny

Note: Here are the first two parts: Part 1: The Divine Perspective Part 2: The Divine Character

To paraphrase Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time to stand and resist, and a time to run. Or, perhaps, both may be used to speak of how we deal with temptation to sin. James says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (4:7b). In other places we are urged to flee from the evil desires of youth (2 Tim. 2.22), from sexual immorality (1 Cor. 6:18), love of money (1 Tim. 6:10-11).

In our text of 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul assures us that we will be able to withstand temptation because he "will provide a way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

God gives us an escape route, a way out, a means to put an end (literal meaning) to temptation. We must search for it, use it, take advantage of it. For every moment of temptation, God opens a door of escape.

In the context of this verse, Paul has already offered some tips on what God provides.

First, the power of examples. The early part of 1 Corinthians 11 is dedicated to Israel's sad experience in the desert, how the people sinned repeatedly. "Now these things," says Paul, "happened to them as an example" (verse 11). We are supposed to learn from them, in order to avoid their sins.

Examples both bad and good may motivate us to avoid sin. The bad examples always include the final consequences, the result of death and destruction. Bad examples remind us God's law is inexorable: you will reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7-8).

Good examples also illustrate the principle and, more, show us in concrete terms the way to God. Jesus is the perfect example, of course, but again and again many of his disciples are held up as worthy of imitation. Paul will even offer himself as an example, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

A second line of escape comes from the same verse 11, "they were written for our instruction." Our best and worst examples come from Scripture. Our power to resist and win surfaces from the Bible. Many weaken before temptation's attractions because they have been distant from the Sacred Text.

Jesus answered every temptation with the phrase, "It is written." He knew this important escape route.

And, as mentioned earlier, there is, third, the escape route of fleeing, as Paul suggests in verse 14, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Israel's big problem continued to plague Christians. Then and now. Worshiping idols is not a mere pagan problem; whatever superimposes itself on the supremacy of God is idol material.

The solution is simple, really: Just get away from it.

Victim of sexual harassment, Joseph saw no alternative than to flee, literally, leaving his coat behind in the hands of his master's wife (Gen. 39:12). God's way of escape may be as near as the closest door. Or the nearest jail.

Whatever the immediate action, we should see that God provides a way out, a way to trash temptation and revel in holiness. With his providing the way, we can be certain to overcome temptation and fulfil every good purpose in Jesus Christ.