IT IS COMMON TO MAN Monday:
"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)
Quite frequently, Satan provokes us to think our tests and difficulties are unique–different from things endured by other people. Individuals succumbing to such enticements often say, "You do not understand," or "Until you have gone through it, you will never know." These are expressions of darkness, not of light. They bear no resemblance to the truth whatsoever, and are to be treated like "fiery darts," hurled at us by the wicked one.
There is no need to speculate about this subject, or share various views of it. God has already spoken on the matter, greatly simplifying our approach to trials or testings. He affirms there is "NO temptation" that is not "common to man." Other translations cast an extraordinary light upon this. "No temptation has taken you but such as is according to man's nature" (Darby). The literal meaning of "common to man" is "Except a human one." The idea is not that all people experience exactly the same tests, but that only tests designed for mankind come upon them. No superhuman test will come your way--like the testing of angels who left their first estate (Jude 6). You will not be tested as though you were an angel, or a seraph, of something other than an ordinary person. We often find that someone has experienced what has come our way, but to an even greater degree.
There is a limit to human ability–a place where it runs out, and can do nothing more. The promise of our text is that no person will be tempted beyond that point. There is no such thing as a superhuman trial, and life is not to be approached as though there was.
We are not to conclude that this is just the way life works. There is more to it than that. The Law, for example, made demands of men that were beyond his capability (Rom 8:3). God did that to confirm that a Savior was needed. But our temptations are not like that. The faithfulness of God to His people is at stake here. God will not suffer, or allow, His people to be tested beyond their capability. Whether it is Noah, Job, or Joseph, before the Law; Moses, David, and the prophets after the Law; or Peter, Paul, or you after the Gospel, the strength of the believer is equal to the trial he experiences. That is something your faith must grasp.
The manner in which God will "not allow" our temptations to exceed our strength is specified. He "will with the temptation also MAKE a way to escape." The way of escape comes "with" the temptation. At first, it may not be as apparent as the temptation itself, but it is there. You may have to look for it, but it is there! God is faithful to provide the way out. It is there just as surely as the test is there.
The way out may be through a troop or over a wall. If so, you can shout with the Psalmist, "For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." (Psa 18:29). The way of escape may be bearing a debilitating thorn by the grace like Paul. If so, you can affirm, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor 12:10). The way out may be to spend the night with the lions like Daniel (Dan 6:22), or stand in the furnace like the three Hebrew children (Dan 3:25). It may involve being lowered over a wall in a basket like Paul (Acts 9:25), or swimming to shore after a shipwreck (Acts 27:43). But the way of escape comes WITH the temptation!
The reason for this tender consideration is also stated: "so that you can stand up under it" (NIV). The believer survives the strongest of trials because of their built-in escape routes. Sometimes there are practical ways out, like Noah's ark, or the small town of Zoar for Lot. Other times, the escape is upward–in the heart. That kind of escape can cause a person to sing in prison like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25), sleep between prison guards like Peter (Acts 12:6-7), or get up and go on your way after being stoned like Paul (Acts 14:19-20). But there is always a way of escape–a way to survive–a way NOT to be overcome by temptation. God is faithful, and so it can be no other way.
This kind of knowledge is not to be embraced at the time of the trial, but before it comes to pass. It is exceedingly difficult to see this AFTER the trial comes. But if, knowing this, you are not surprised by such trials, you will survive.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank and praise You for managing my trials!