Yes, we can overcome temptation because Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and God promises a way of escape.
Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin, so He can empathize with our struggles (Hebrews 4:15). God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). These promises give us confidence to approach God's throne for mercy and grace in times of need.
1 Corinthians 10:13 — This verse promises that God will provide a way of escape from every temptation.
Hebrews 4:15-16 — These verses show that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses and invite us to approach God's throne for help.
The Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, is our high priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, we are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that no temptation has taken us but such as is common to man, and God is faithful, who will not permit us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. This is a promise of divine provision.
Les Feldick emphasizes that every temptation falls into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Jesus experienced every category of temptation, so He knows exactly what we face (Clip 0). Les teaches that God is faithful to provide a way of escape in every temptation, but we must actively look for it—it won't always be obvious (Clip 2). Les also highlights the invitation in Hebrews 4:16 to come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help in our time of need (Clip 5). He uses the illustration of an army trapped in a canyon, finding a hidden escape route provided by the commander—just as God provides an escape route for us (Clip 6).
Jesus, as our high priest, was tempted in all points just like we are, yet He did not sin. He experienced every category of temptation—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life—so He can feel with us in our weaknesses.
God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. He provides a way of escape in every temptation, but we must look for it—it may not be obvious. God will reveal it to us at the appropriate time.
Every temptation falls into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are common to all humanity, as seen from Eve in the garden to Jesus in the wilderness.
Three Categories of Temptation
Les explains that all temptations fall into three categories: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, and that Jesus was tempted in all points, yet without sin.
The Three Temptations Everyone Faces — Eve to Jesus Explained
But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it." Well, while we were having a break and a cup of coffee, I happened to think of a verse back here in Hebrews. So turn with me a minute to Hebrews chapter 4, because it goes along this same line.
God's Way of Escape
Les teaches that God provides a way of escape from every temptation, but we must look for it—it won't always be instantly visible.
God Reveals Escape at the Right Time
Les reassures that even when we feel trapped, God will reveal a way of escape at the appropriate time.
Why the Golden Calf Still Matters — 1 Corinthians 10:5-13 Explained
But Paul says, in the spirit of meekness, you approach that individual who has fallen. And he says, considering thyself, lest you also be, what, tempted or tested. So it can happen to anybody. And we have to be on guard constantly. All right, now if you'll come back with me again for a moment to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Now verse 13. What a promise. What a promise.
Coming Boldly to the Throne
Les emphasizes that because Jesus was tempted in all points, we can come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help in our time of need.
Illustration of Escape
Les uses the illustration of an army trapped in a canyon, finding a hidden escape route, to explain how God provides a way of escape in temptation.
Temptations Common to All
Les explains that all humans face the same categories of temptation, beginning with Eve and culminating in Jesus, and that Jesus understands our frame.
1 Corinthians 10:13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This verse promises God's faithfulness in providing a way of escape from temptation.
Hebrews 4:15: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
This verse assures us that Jesus understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in all points.
Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This verse invites us to approach God's throne confidently for help in temptation.
1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
This verse categorizes the three areas of temptation that every human faces.
Yes, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God will not permit us to be tempted above that we are able, and He will provide a way of escape so we can bear it.
Because Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He experienced every category of temptation common to humanity.
Les Feldick teaches that every temptation falls into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, based on 1 John 2:16.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus' Three Temptations — Why Satan's Attacks Still Matter Today