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Living for 30 years in Southern California with the constant threat of earthquakes has made our family a bit cautious whenever we go into buildings. And this wariness was especially acute right after the 6.8-magnitude killer earthquake in Northridge, California—the epicenter of which was only three miles from our home.
Even today, years after that quake, as we enter a building, we immediately look for the exit signs. We instinctively wonder, Where are they? And, What is the quickest way to get to them? We aren’t paranoid (or are we?). We must still be looking for the “big one”!
Looking for a Way Out
Now, you may never have to contend with earthquakes, but what about your last plane trip? What was the first thing the flight attendants told you? They instructed you on how to exit the plane during an emergency, didn’t they? Exit routes are very important to know, whether for fire safety, plane mishaps, earthquake survival... or even when dealing with temptation.
Temptation comes into every believer’s life.Not one of us is immune (and you know what we’re talking about!). So how would you like a promise for victory over temptation? Great news — God has a promise for you!
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
In these reassuring words, God promises you and us deliverance from sin. In other words, this is God’s promise of an “exit.”
God isn’t showing us how to exit our dangerous situations. No, He is showing us how He will provide an exit so we won’t succumb to life’s temptations
So you should not view temptation as a bad thing. It is neither bad nor good. It is simply an opportunity for you to reaffirm and strengthen your faith and trust in God.
And here’s another important fact: Temptation should not be viewed as sin. Rather, giving in to a temptation is sin. Temptation, when resisted, can help build your spiritual muscles much like the iron weights in the gym build up physical muscles.
The more you can hold out against temptation, the stronger your spiritual muscles become. So it’s vital for you to resist temptation as much as you can.
But what if the temptation gets too heavy for you to bear? This is where God’s promise of deliverance comes to your rescue and saves the day.
God’s not a spectator in your lives. He’s actively involved and ever present. He wants to help. And when temptations become too heavy to handle on your own, He delivers you by providing an escape route, an exit out of the temptation. The way out.
RESPOND
Father, You are so good to enable us with Your strength in our time of need. With You at our side, we have nothing to fear. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES 
A Young Woman's Guide to Making Right Choices: Your Life God's Way by Elizabeth George—A step-by-step process of making decisions that are life-affirming, godly, and wise in areas.
REFLECT
Memorize this verse to help you combat temptation: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
REMEMBER
Temptation should not be viewed as sin. Rather, giving in to a temptation is sin.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.