I Corinthians10:1-13, James 1:12-15

We encounter temptations every day. When we say yes to temptations, bad things happen and we often blame it on God “because He let it happen”. We then ask God questions like  “Why is this happening?”, or “Why did you let this happen?”. This is all too common for us, so we are going to turn to scripture to see what God has to say about temptation. I Corinthians 10:13 will tell us the role God plays.

I Corinthians 10:1-12

In I Corinthians 10:1-12 God uses Old Testament History as an example for us. He wants us to learn from their mistakes. God shows us that they were believers, and they never thought that they would fall into such great temptations. But they did. This is a great reminder for us, and we need learn from their mistakes.

Read I Corinthians 10:1-13

Why does God use the Old Testament believers as an example for us? What should we learn from their example?

I Corinthians 10:13

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.

Use I Corinthians 10:13 to answer the following yes or no questions

Does God create our temptations? Yes or No?

Are your temptations something that no one else has ever had to endure? Yes or No?

Does God give you a way out of the temptation? (A way to say no to the temptation, and/or a way to escape the temptation if you say yes to it?) Yes or No

Does God allow you to be tempted by something that you CAN NOT handle? Yes or No?

Read James 1:12-15

James 1:12-15 is another portion of scripture that tells us God’s role in our temptations. It expands on I Corinthians 10:13.

Use James 1:12-15 to answer the following questions

What blessing does God give to those who turn to Him or keep depending on Him during their temptation?

We know from I Corinthians 10:13, and now from James 1:13 that temptation does NOT come from God. If temptation does not come from God, where does it come from? (James 1:14)

What is the results of following temptation? (James 1:15)

“Why is this happening?” “Why did you let this happen?”

Because we have desires and free will, temptation is a part of this world. Sometimes Satan uses this to lead us to sin, which takes us a little further away from God each time, or we do it on our own. We sometimes choose to seek after our desires on our own, no help needed from Satan. Either way, God is not responsible because He did not create the sinful desires in us, or create the temptations that come before us. God is also not responsible for the bad things that happen, as a result of us giving in to the temptations. The temptation, as we read in James 1:15 is because of our desires, and when we give into them, that leads to sin. God has no part of sin!

BUT

Because God is merciful, He limits the temptations that comes our way. He is our temptation filter! He knows what temptations we cannot handle, and He filters those out. Also, because He is merciful and compassionate, He provides a way out of the temptation! He allows us a way to say no, and a way of escape from the sin, if/when we say yes to it.

So, why is this happening and why did God let this happen?

It is happening because we gave in to our desires that led to sin. Once that happens, we will experience the consequences of our sin. Hopefully we will take responsibility for our sin, and let God help us through it like He wants too.

We pray that this free bible study on doing God’s will was a blessing for you. We hope you search our website, Christian Fellowshipping, for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.