Endure and Stand

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ESV
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 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.

Many of us have learned to claim verse 13, knowing that God does put a shield around us concerning temptation. But we seem to forget verse 12 which is in the same thought. Even when we think we are strong we need to pay attention to ourselves so we don't fall. And there's the clue to this passage, "taking heed."

Why is that the clue? Because temptation will come. Unbearable temptation - or at least to us we think it is. But God knows us better than we know ourselves. Would the One who won't let us be tempted beyond our ability allow such an unbearable temptation in our lives unless He believed we could endure?

There is only one way we can endure though. Only one way that we can stand. The way? In John 14:6 Jesus tells us He is the Way. He is the only One that can endure temptation without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Remember, once we accept Christ we are part of His body (the church) - we are in Christ. If we live in Him, we can count on His endurance and His faith and His obedience. By our own strength, we will fall. If we take heed in Christ, then His strength is our way of escaped from the temptation (Psalm 16:8).