Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: DannyTN

Yes. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is referring to TEMPTATION.

Unfortunately, when taken out of context, like other Bible Verses, it can be used to justify anything!


22 posted on 06/10/2015 11:55:24 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]


To: left that other site

But satan does.


27 posted on 06/10/2015 11:58:48 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (This is a wake up call. Join the Sultan Knish ping list.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]

To: left that other site
And in context, 1 Cor. 10:13 can ONLY be referring to the temptation to sin. Verses 1-12 refer to the failings of the Israelites as they gave in to evil desires ("For they were all drinking from the spiritual rck that ollowed them, and the rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. ...And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and 23,000 died in a single day. And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall. [13] No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it."

Enduring it in this context clearly means without falling to temptation. All of the examples cited refer to situations where the Israelites were faced with a temptation to sin and fell to that sin -- idolatry, immorality, denial of Christ and God.

I hate the "more than you can bear" formulation because our modern ears hear that as "God will protect you from negative consequences of our obedience to Him." or "Bad stuff won't happen to Good People" type of stuff. This is offensive to scripture and to the examples that heroes of the faith have given us. Many of the early martyrs were faced with the temptation to recant their faith in Christ in order to save their own lives. They resisted that temptation, knowing they would be killed. I'm aware of one instance in which a martyr was asked directly whether he was a Christian, said yes, was hauled away and then another and then another Christian stood and volunteered that if the first was killed then they would have to be killed as well because of their Christian faith. Death in this instance is not something that they can handle, but rather they maintained their faith and their obedience to God's will instead of falling to the temptation to deny Christ but preserve their own lives.

It is interesting because one of the most significant schisms in the early church (the Donatist controversy) concerned what to do with bishops and other leaders who did fall to the temptation to deny Christ. God promised that he would provide them with a way out of the temptation, but they fell to it anyway. Many members of their local churches believed this disqualified them from positions of leadership in the local church because they had failed in the temptation even though this would have meant execution.

45 posted on 06/10/2015 12:53:56 PM PDT by FateAmenableToChange
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson