THE LIE OF LUST

Series: The Sinister Seven

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

(12) If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. (13) 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.”

Being familiar with something doesn’t make it safe.

Sin is meeting a natural, God-given desire outside of God’s intended design.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

In these two verses, Paul gives us a warning, a promise, and a way out.

– The warning is to be careful not to fall.

– The promise is that God is faithful.

– A way out so we can endure.

Knowing there’s a way out and taking it are two different things.

So how do we respond to what Paul is telling us?

The Warning:

1. QUIT SAYING “I CAN HANDLE IT!”

(12) If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

Knowing better isn’t the same as choosing better.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (James 1:22)

(27) You have heard the commandment that says, You must not commit adultery. (28) But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

What are you shaping your heart to want?

14) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. (15) These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)

Lust offers a version of life where you get the pleasure, but somebody else pays the price. It leaves out the people being used, the trust that’s being damaged, and consequences that will be faced.

The Promise:

2. STOP FIGHTING WHAT YOU SHOULD BE RUNNING FROM

(13)…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.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 – Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does…

Genesis 39 | The Story of Joseph

Obedience cost him, but God never abandoned him.

An exit is only useful when you take it…

Don’t mistake His patience with you as permission for you to keep doing what you’ve been doing.

Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Romans 13:14 – Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

The Way Out:

3. RUN TO JESUS

(13)…When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

Here’s what running to Jesus looks like…

RUN TO HIS GRACE

Hebrews 4:15-16 – (15) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. (16) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

RUN IN HIS WAYS

2 Timothy 2:22 – Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

RUN WITH HIS PEOPLE