If 1 Corinthians 10:13 is supposed to be addressed to all Christians, it is not true

[Lucian Hodoboc]

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

If 1 Corinthians 10:13 is addressed only to the people whom the respective letter was sent to, I have no comments on the matter. Since it is not applicable to me, I can't assess whether it's true or not.

But, if the verse is supposed to be addressed to all Christians from all times, then it is simply a false statement. I can assess this based on personal experience. I have experienced times when temptation was so strong that I found it impossible to abstain from it, despite the fact that The Holy Spirit (or the angels or whoever it was) kept reminding me that it was a sin. I simply could not bring myself in a state of being rational enough as to care about the warnings of The Holy Spirit.

Yes, The Holy Spirit did His job as far as warning was concerned, but that did not help me, and no perceivable way of enduring the temptation was provided. Again, I stress the word "perceivable". I'm not denying that a way of enduring the temptation might have been provided, but I could not perceive it at the moment, which is the same as if it did not exist.

What good is it to place a weapon in an arena for someone to defend himself with if the person is blinded by the enemy and can't see the weapon in order to grab it and use it?

So yes, God did allow me to be tempted beyond what I could bear despite the fact that I ask Him for help everyday.

What am I supposed to do with this information? The Bible offers me information that is contradictory to my experiences. Am I supposed to deny the veracity of my experiences and believe the Bible? Doing that seems to me like a descent into madness.

 

[1689Dave]

“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.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV 1900)

I'm sure this must have been Al Capone's favorite verse. It doesn't seem to fit his lifestyle though.

 

[Albion]

But, if the verse is supposed to be addressed to all Christians from all times, then it is simply a false statement. I can assess this based on personal experience. I have experienced times when temptation was so strong that I found it impossible to abstain from it, despite the fact that The Holy Spirit (or the angels or whoever it was) kept reminding me that it was a sin. I simply could not bring myself in a state of being rational enough as to care about the warnings of The Holy Spirit.

That sounds a lot like a rationalization. What's not to say that you actually were capable of abstaining from the sinful act but gave in to the temptation anyway?

Of course, a person would like to say that he was tempted beyond all limits and couldn't do anything other than what he did, but that doesn't really prove that the temptation was in fact irresistible.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

What's not to say that you actually were capable of abstaining from the sinful act but gave in to the temptation anyway?

It depends what you mean by capable. Physically, yes, I was probably very capable to abstain from the sinful act. Mentally or spiritually, I did not feel capable. It was simply a situation in which my entire being felt that the pleasure offered by sin was irresistible, and I stopped caring about what God wanted despite the fact that I did not want to stop caring. I can't think of a better way to put it than mind control or hypnosis.

 

[Albion]

It depends what you mean by capable. Physically, yes, I was probably very capable to abstain from the sinful act. Mentally or spiritually, I did not feel capable. It was simply a situation in which my entire being felt that the pleasure offered by sin was irresistible, and I stopped caring about what God wanted despite the fact that I did not want to stop caring. I can't think of a better way to put it than mind control or hypnosis.

Okay, we understand the pressures, but you concluded that the Bible was in error when teaching that God will not allow a person to be tempted beyond what he can bear.

To blame God instead of oneself is the problem. After all, the Scripture doesn't say that God will intervene to prevent anyone from sinning, just that God will not allow the person to be tempted beyond what he can bear.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

To blame God instead of oneself is the problem.

Actually, I think it's exactly the opposite. After years of self-blaming, I think it's time to assess the situation and realize that it's a matter of lack of accuracy of the Biblical promises.

After all, the Scripture doesn't say that God will intervene to prevent anyone from sinning, just that God will not allow the person to be tempted beyond what he can bear.

Which He has not done in my case. The temptation was beyond my ability to bear because my faculty of reason was momentarily hijacked. The entire premise of abstaining from sin is to value the Will of God more than your own. If this ability is blocked, then sinning is inevitable.

 

[Albion]

Actually, I think it's exactly the opposite. After years of self-blaming, I think it's time to assess the situation and realize that it's a matter of lack of accuracy of the Biblical promises.

Well then, you are challenging the correctness of the Scripture.

 

[atpollard]

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV]

Two [are] better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him [who is] alone when he falls, For [he has] no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm [alone]? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.​

[Galatians 6:1-5 NKJV]

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.​

​

What do these verses tell you about enduring temptation and did you follow their advice?
Refusing to accept the help that God has provided is not the same as God not providing the help.

 

[Jason76]

People can do what is right, just like kids CAN do what is right. Kids know they're supposed to eat their veggies, not talk to strangers, whatever. However, that doesn't mean they always do it. However, God in his love keeps us in a playground of sorts, a sheep-pen, as said in John chapter 10. In that case, we have room to make mistakes, just like little kids do.

 

[Stravinsk]

It depends what you mean by capable. Physically, yes, I was probably very capable to abstain from the sinful act. Mentally or spiritually, I did not feel capable. It was simply a situation in which my entire being felt that the pleasure offered by sin was irresistible, and I stopped caring about what God wanted despite the fact that I did not want to stop caring. I can't think of a better way to put it than mind control or hypnosis.

Are we beating around the Onan bush, so to speak, here? lol

Because if that's the case, Christians seem to have such a hang up with this. The "need to seed", esp for younger males is not unlike a woman's menstrual cycle, at least, in the sense that it's going to manifest eventually in every normal, healthy male. If you don't do it, you're
body will and you'll wake up needing to clean up.

That in itself cannot be a sin, at least not in my mind. The expression of it could be, like in adultery or fornication. But the biological need itself is part of our make up, a thing we share with a whole lot of animals too. Is it a sin just for us?

 

[heavenslight]

You have posed a difficult problem Lucian Hodoboc and I do not claim to have all the answers. However let me try to address your dilemma.

Although pressure can in some cases be very intense to give way to sin I believe a Christian ultimately has the ability to choose whether or not to sin, even though this may require mental stamina. Temptation can come from the flesh, Satan or the World or a combination of the above. A totally demon possessed person may completely lose the ability to resist Satanic influences to sin. A Christian's ability to resist temptation and Satanic deception is related to how committed his life is to Jesus. A Christian can still have Satanic strongholds that require deliverance and his or her resistance to temptation in such cases can be weak.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Are we beating around the Onan bush, so to speak, here? lol

Because if that's the case, Christians seem to have such a hang up with this. The "need to seed", esp for younger males is not unlike a woman's menstrual cycle, at least, in the sense that it's going to manifest eventually in every normal, healthy male. If you don't do it, you're
body will and you'll wake up needing to clean up.

That in itself cannot be a sin, at least not in my mind. The expression of it could be, like in adultery or fornication. But the biological need itself is part of our make up, a thing we share with a whole lot of animals too. Is it a sin just for us?

Yes, it seems to be a sin just for us because we were created in God's image (consciousness, self-awareness etc.), and animals weren't.

 

[Stravinsk]

Yes, it seems to be a sin just for us because we were created in God's image (consciousness, self-awareness etc.), and animals weren't.

And why God said "go forth and multiply" before so called "original sin" ever entered the picture?

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

And why God said "go forth and multiply" before so called "original sin" ever entered the picture?

Because sexual intercourse within marriage, with the purpose of procreation, is not a sin.

I'm not talking about that, but about lust outside of marriage and sexual self-gratification.

 

[Stravinsk]

Because sexual intercourse within marriage, with the purpose of procreation, is not a sin.

I'm not talking about that, but about lust outside of marriage and sexual self-gratification.

When were Adam and Eve married exactly? To me this is a no brainer. God's first instruction to Adam and Eve is to get it on. He knows all about sexual desire because He created it. He didn't say "wait until a proper ceremony is observed" or "wait until you have a marriage certificate from the state". There must have been desire there (what you are maybe calling "lust") prior to them doing the deed.

You said in an earlier post that it seems to be a sin because of being made in God's image. Well, that doesn't make much sense, because Adam and Eve were created in God's image, and God gave them instruction before so called "original sin" entered.

For me lust outside marriage is something one chooses to feed or starve. I might desire someone I can't have. This is bad and I must stop, for my own good as well as theirs, especially if sin (for instance, they are married already) is there. However, the sexual desire itself is part of normal biological function. If you as a male don't satisfy it by either choosing a mate or self-gratification, your body will do it for you.

But of course, the Christian usually mixes all this up with so called "original sin", which is why you have your guilt complex. I just wish people would think it through more.

 

[Prepared]

If 1 Corinthians 10:13 is addressed only to the people whom the respective letter was sent to, I have no comments on the matter. Since it is not applicable to me, I can't assess whether it's true or not.

But, if the verse is supposed to be addressed to all Christians from all times, then it is simply a false statement. I can assess this based on personal experience. I have experienced times when temptation was so strong that I found it impossible to abstain from it, despite the fact that The Holy Spirit (or the angels or whoever it was) kept reminding me that it was a sin. I simply could not bring myself in a state of being rational enough as to care about the warnings of The Holy Spirit.

Yes, The Holy Spirit did His job as far as warning was concerned, but that did not help me, and no perceivable way of enduring the temptation was provided. Again, I stress the word "perceivable". I'm not denying that a way of enduring the temptation might have been provided, but I could not perceive it at the moment, which is the same as if it did not exist.

What good is it to place a weapon in an arena for someone to defend himself with if the person is blinded by the enemy and can't see the weapon in order to grab it and use it?

So yes, God did allow me to be tempted beyond what I could bear despite the fact that I ask Him for help everyday.

What am I supposed to do with this information? The Bible offers me information that is contradictory to my experiences. Am I supposed to deny the veracity of my experiences and believe the Bible? Doing that seems to me like a descent into madness.

There is an old saying excuses pleases those that made them.
One makes their own choices and when one chooses to give in to temptation it is their choice. One either bears it or give in to it - plain and simple it is what one's desire is / what is truly in their heart.

 

[Messy]

looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Peter was crucified upside down. Nowadays we're spoiled in the West. There was a war criminal from former Yugoslavija in a prison in Holland and he said that our national dishes were inhumane torture, which I thought was hilarious. Christians who are persecuted in other countries. Even in America, but Thorben isn't beaten up like Paul. That was also considered not tempted beyond what you can bare. My life is easy.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Peter was crucified upside down. Nowadays we're spoiled. There was a war criminal from former Yugoslavija in a prison in Holland and he said that our national dishes were inhumane torture, which I thought was hilarious. Christians who are persecuted in other countries. Even in America, but Thorben isn't beaten up like Paul. That was also considered not tempted beyond what you can bare. My life is easy.

But why must anyone suffer in the first place? I don't understand your logic. "I have it easy because others in the past had it way worse than I do" only makes sense if you're presented with rational arguments about why anyone should have it hard at all. "Because God wants it so" is not a rational argument. Neither is "because our ancestors disobeyed". I did not ask to be born into this set of circumstances. I did not agree to being created and sent into this world. I can't blame my parents because they didn't ask to be created either, nor did my grandparents and so on...

There is an old saying excuses pleases those that made them.
One makes their own choices and when one chooses to give in to temptation it is their choice. One either bears it or give in to it - plain and simple it is what one's desire is / what is truly in their heart.

Please explain to me why the man who was delivered from the legion of demons in Mark 5:1-20 wanted to follow Jesus? If what you say is true, if one makes their own choices according to the desires of his heart, the man who chose to be possessed by the demons likely had evil desires in his heart. So why didn't he follow the demons and be like, "hey, guys, don't leave me, I wanna go with you"?

This whole "what is truly in your heart" is the ideal Christian copout because it doesn't explain how what is in the heart got there in the first place. How does one choose to like something if one doesn't like it? If a person assesses reality and looks at sin and then looks at righteousness, and concludes that (s)he finds sin more attractive than righteousness, why is that his/her fault? (S)he may not want to feel that way, (s)he may want to find righteousness more attractive than sin, but is unable to feel that way. What is (s)he to do to change him/herself?

 

[Messy]

But why must anyone suffer in the first place? I don't understand your logic. "I have it easy because others in the past had it way worse than I do" only makes sense if you're presented with rational arguments about why anyone should have it hard at all. "Because God wants it so" is not a rational argument. Neither is "because our ancestors disobeyed". I did not ask to be born into this set of circumstances. I did not agree to being created and sent into this world. I can't blame my parents because they didn't ask to be created either, nor did my grandparents and so on...


Please explain to me why the man who was delivered from the legion of demons in Mark 5:1-20 wanted to follow Jesus? If what you say is true, if one makes their own choices according to the desires of his heart, the man who chose to be possessed by the demons likely had evil desires in his heart. So why didn't he follow the demons and be like, "hey, guys, don't leave me, I wanna go with you"?

This whole "what is truly in your heart" is the ideal Christian copout because it doesn't explain how what is in the heart got there in the first place. How does one choose to like something if one doesn't like it? If a person assesses reality and looks at sin and then looks at righteousness, and concludes that (s)he finds sin more attractive than righteousness, why is that his/her fault? (S)he may not want to feel that way, (s)he may want to find righteousness more attractive than sin, but is unable to feel that way. What is (s)he to do to change him/herself?

You get perfected by suffering. Jesus was perfected by suffering. God didnt want ppl to suffer. Paradise was perfect and He will make everything perfect again, but ppl ruined it and He uses it, cause He's more concerned about our character, us becoming like Him than us having an easy life. Jesus prayed for His disciples, not that God would keep em from trouble, but that they would stand in faith. It's just like the question why was there a tree, why did God not destroy satan before He made us? Derek Prince said He wants us to become strong and overcome satan. Not protect us like babies who never grow up. But people also need protection when they're a baby christian and they need prayer, help, healing from others and if the older christians don't care and rather stay in bed, like that text wait a lion on the street, the lazy man turns in his bed like a door, you can't blame God for that. Jesus is not on earth now. His followers are supposed to do what He did and more than that. You can't change yourself. You can only chose to say yes to God and let Him do a miracle and change you. I divorced. I utterly hated my ex. He lied in court and took my baby and God did nothing. I reckoned He didn't even exist after all, cause He did nothing and that judge gave my baby to my ex. He had problems with it until he was 10. But I had to chose to forgive him. I could not. Corrie ten Boom helped me. She forgave the guard from the concentration camp where her sister died. She could not, but she chose and then God could do it through her.

 

[heavenslight]

Lucian Hodoboc, why don't you refer your concerns to the Ask a Pastor section of this forum? Also be specific about what your concerns are,ie, what specific temptations you are experiencing.