Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Counsel from 1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Paul David Tripp:
When someone comes to you for counseling, you will often find that part of their problem is that they believe some lie about God and his work. First Corinthians 10:13 provides a helpful framework for a homework assignment that can uncover these lies.

In this verse, Paul here seems to address four common lies about God. I set up the homework this way:

1. Declaration: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.

Question: Where have you been tempted to think that your situation is unique and that you have been singled out for particular suffering?

2. Declaration: God is faithful.

Question: Where have you tended to believe that God has been unfaithful to his promises to you?

3. Declaration: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

Question: Where have you thought that you have been given more than you can handle or that the extreme pressures of the situation have caused you to sin?

4. Declaration: He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Question: Where have you felt trapped, with no reasonable way to deal with your situation?


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