Way Of Escape

As a second part to my study of overcoming temptation, I want to look at the way of escape the Lord promises to those who cry out to Him for help. 2 Peter 2:9 says, "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (KJV). The context of this verse is speaking of Lot (verses 7-8) whom the Lord delivered from Sodom before destroying it and her neighboring cities.

The question is do we want to be delivered? How many of us push the boundaries of how far we can go without falling headlong into temptation? Many of us don't act out our thoughts but allow our mind to take us to very dark places that God once rescued us? There something in our hearts that refuse to let go of the possibilities that temptation seems to offer while forgetting the sting and shame that follows when we give in to it.

Still there remains a way out of temptation so we have no excuse for letting temptation overtake us. I Corinthians 10:13 says, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (NLT).

As a young man I had to memorize this Scripture as part of my missionary training. Years later the Scripture would surface during times of temptation but found myself arguing with God. Where's my out? Where the exit door? In the heat of the moment, everything seemed blurred and rushed. Instinctively, I knew that if I called out to Him, the Lord would answer. But I remained silent and did not run for my life like Joseph.

Joseph was tempted day after day by Potiphar's wife who urged him to sleep with her. He resisted and ran out the door only to find himself unjustly locked up. The Bible tells us to "flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22, KJV). Fleeing temptation may save us from long lasting consequences but it does not mean all will go well. Your flesh will fight against God. The mind will make up every excuse or reason to yield. Even friends, co-workers or family members may give you reasons why you can't resist temptation. It's your family history. Your genetic make-up or you can't help yourself. You were lonely. Tired or angry. What were you to do with your back up against the wall?

God will open our eyes to the way of escape. It can be as simple as walking away. Or a Scripture that comes to mind that pulls back the present deception. Or it can be severe as an accident or illness that brings us back to our senses.

Stop arguing and take the exit!

Here's a promise for those who say by God's power I refuse a momentary pleasure for life everlasting. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalms 24:3)

When we rush through the exit door we fall in the arms of our God. Then He takes us up to a high place where our vision is restored and there we see how small and narrow temptation really is - a self centered life that feeds and devours itself. But in that holy place with clean hands we embrace a Savior with nailed scarred hands who understood what it is to be tempted in all things but without sin. Beloved, it's worth fleeing temptation. We remember Joseph more than we remember Potiphar's wife who had no name given to her in Scripture. And she represents much of the world's goods and desires - easily forgotten and dismissed. One day we will wonder why did we think the world was so attractive?