Will not be tempted above what you can bear

[jb789]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about the scripture '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)

also

“… humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit. …” (Alma 13:28.)

I'm wondering, does this mean that, if we desire it enough, we can truly resist ALL temptation (in this life), and thus cease entirely to give in to temptation/weaknesses/etc?

Or, perhaps, does the statement from 1 Corinthians, "make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it", refer to the Atonement - that enters in when, despite our weakness and at times giving in to temptation due to our weakness, the Atonement and faith in Christ are this "escape" spoken of? Which is different than, due to our willingness, simply being able to resist sin entirely in all cases to begin with?

The reason I ask is, (like all) I have personal weaknesses that I continually struggle with - in my mind I would like to be able to resist them entirely in all cases, but experience suggests that this probably isn't possible - rather, in the course of getting stronger/better, failing at times, and then trusting in the Savior, are the only way on the long road to perfection.

Is this fair to say, that the "way to escape" described in 1st Corinthians is the Atonement? And that, despite our sincere desires to resist all temptation, we may simply not be capable of doing so at the present moment? (for an analogy, for example, I might want to be able to lift 200 lbs, an have a sincere desire to do so, but simply may not be strong enough now to do so). At times I wish that it was as easy as simply making the choice not to sin, but the reality of being strong enough to resist all future temptations is quite a different matter, and it seems to me that sometimes we just aren't strong enough at the present time to resist all temptation?

Thanks!

[Guest]

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[Jamie123]

One of our R.E. teachers at school said something which has always stayed with me: "If every time we were tempted, a little guy in a red jumpsuit with horns and a toasting fork appeared, life would be a lot simpler than it is."

The treacherous thing about temptation is that it's easy for us to persuade ourselves - at the time - that giving in to it is the right thing to do, or that even if it isn't it's no big deal.

[Jamie123]

Another thing: The devil works in much the same way as certain schoolyard creeps and bullies. I think you known the sort of person I mean: They'll manipulate you into doing what they want you to do, and afterwards they'll make you feel bad for having done it. It's not for nothing that the devil is sometimes called "the accuser".

[Dravin]

Another thing: The devil works in much the same way as certain schoolyard creeps and bullies. I think you known the sort of person I mean: They'll manipulate you into doing what they want you to do, and afterwards they'll make you feel bad for having done it. It's not for nothing that the devil is sometimes called "the accuser".

Along that vein of thought:

60 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.

[NeuroTypical]

Gospel according to LM:

I believe there is a line in the sand. On one side of the line, we are in control of our actions and able to resist temptation and choose the right. In my opinion, this side of the line is what's being talked about by these scriptures.

However, on the other side of the line, is where we are still acting, but are not responsible for our actions. We have no choice, no agency, on the other side of the line. An example would be some mental illnesses (like the more severe hallucinatory psychoses). If one's senses or brain is lying to them about what reality looks like, then there is no valid way to choose, no agency. We talk about "not guilty by reason of insanity". It's a hot button issue with lots of good arguments to be made on either side, but I believe there are valid instances where it applies.

If you have no agency, you have no choice. If you have no choice, you cannot be tempted, because temptation exists as a choice one can choose. Therefore, we can never be tempted beyond our means to resist. If we give up our agency, we fall into temptation, and then we are on the other side of the line.

Anyway, that's my two cents on it only. Take it for what it's worth.

[Traveler]

The problem is that many think that there is the power within fallen man to resist evil. This is most misleading. The only means by which evil and temptation can be overcome is through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance or having a change of heart through the Holy Ghost.

The Traveler

[Jamie123]

The problem is that many think that there is the power within fallen man to resist evil. This is most misleading. The only means by which evil and temptation can be overcome is through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance or having a change of heart through the Holy Ghost.

The Traveler

As Oscar Wilde once said, "I can resist anything but temptation!"

[Misshalfway]

Hi all,

I'm wondering, does this mean that, if we desire it enough, we can truly resist ALL temptation (in this life), and thus cease entirely to give in to temptation/weaknesses/etc?

Well, the scriptures seem to indicate that there are some amongst us who have learned to overcome. Apparently, they are so good that they get to skip death and get twinkled. But I don't think they get there without passing through a process of refinement. I think that means they must have made mistakes at some point and truly learned the lessons associated with the mistake.

The reason I ask is, (like all) I have personal weaknesses that I continually struggle with - in my mind I would like to be able to resist them entirely in all cases, but experience suggests that this probably isn't possible - rather, in the course of getting stronger/better, failing at times, and then trusting in the Savior, are the only way on the long road to perfection.

I think it IS possible to master the stuff that so easily besets us. Otherwise, how can any of us hope?

I think one of our stumbling blocks, though, is getting too focused on the end goal. We forget that the "perfection" we are looking for is found in the very journey we are walking. The question isn't "when will I get there?". The question is HOW. That is what trusting Christ and "Perfection in Christ" are all about. If we are in fact living inside the atonement from day to day, we ARE perfect already. He always fills in the gaps while we are developing as an eternal being. The more we become, the less gaps he has to fill, and soon we will be independent and "without compulsory means" in our righteousness and light.

Is this fair to say, that the "way to escape" described in 1st Corinthians is the Atonement? And that, despite our sincere desires to resist all temptation, we may simply not be capable of doing so at the present moment? (for an analogy, for example, I might want to be able to lift 200 lbs, an have a sincere desire to do so, but simply may not be strong enough now to do so). At times I wish that it was as easy as simply making the choice not to sin, but the reality of being strong enough to resist all future temptations is quite a different matter, and it seems to me that sometimes we just aren't strong enough at the present time to resist all temptation?

The "way" of escape, I think, comes from the refinement process itself. When we repent and restore obedience practice, Jesus doesn't just change our sinful status to "clean!" He changes our very disposition line upon line, insight upon insight. It's these incremental dispositional changes that gives us power over sin because it means our desires for sin decreases. Eventually, we lose desire to behave and think in certain ways completely, and so we don't get tripped up by the same things anymore.

I tend to think our temptations refine right along with us too. Our temptations are a reflection of where we are in the process of becoming. So they, along with our failures, teach us lots about ourselves....IF we are willing to look. When our eyes are open in this way, and our hearts are humble and teachable, Jesus can do so much with us. He can change us and use us!

I think that if a person is struggling with something chronically, that means there is a lesson hasn't yet been learned yet. The same issue happens over and over because we keep missing the lesson. So, life is generous. It keeps giving us lots of chances. When I stop missing the forest for the trees, and I open myself to introspection, I tend to overcome my issues faster. When I get inside my "self" and get clearer views on the fear and pride that is in there, I usually have lots to lay on the alter. And then all I feel is awe and gratitude as I see how the atonement worked together with my sacrifices to help me change.

Edited July 6, 2012 by Misshalfway

[Heber13]

I don't believe God is filtering temptations to individuals based on capacity. We are just exposed to this world, full of enough trials for us all.

We all have strengths and weaknesses. Not being tempted above what you are able is a positive message that with God's help, you can succeed.

But you will also fail. We all do, it is why the Atonement is needed. We should not despise who we are, but look for the talents we do have that we can develop, and be content with the good and the bad. It is who we are.

It is our choice. We either avoid temptation, or we succumb to it. We always have the choice. We always live with the results, and get to choose again.

Sometimes if we get stuck, we can get help by a bishop, or a parent, or a friend to help us build enough strength until we can be on our own to withstand things. God gives us enough resources to succeed, and He knows we will not be perfect at it, and so we will fail until we learn from the mistakes what to do differently to overcome.

[mtman318]

jb789...

I think you have the right ideas, personally, but I will add a little more. Like Traveler said, any resistance we have to temptation will be through the grace of God (the Atonement). So the Atonement and the gospel (faith) are definitely the "escapes" mentioned by Paul. Like Paul said, God provides the means (if we have faith in Him).

This can be considered the "enabling" power of the Atonement, so we never have to fail or give in. But if we do fail at times, we need not give up (though that itself is certainly a powerful temptation).

Also, when you examine those two scriptures together, we can also consider prayer, humility, vigilance, etc, (all acts of faith) as the escape which happens to come before the temptation occurs. Remember also this scripture:

"And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." --1 Nephi 15: 23-24.

Hence, if we aren't committing sins of omission, then we will constantly be receiving grace day by day, and when the temptations come, we might not even consider them to be tempting anymore. I believe we will always need the power of the Atonement in this life, and we ought not even worry about if we are "strong" enough of our own accord. We will never be truly "independent," like the Lectures on Faith describes, until we become like God Himself, and that certainly won't be in this life.

[jb789]

jb789...

I believe we will always need the power of the Atonement in this life, and we ought not even worry about if we are "strong" enough of our own accord. We will never be truly "independent," like the Lectures on Faith describes, until we become like God Himself, and that certainly won't be in this life.

I think this true - the need for the Atonement never goes away, often it's our mistakes/weaknesses that serve to continually remind us of this and keep us humble. Thanks for sharing!

[Bensalem]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about the scripture '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)

also

“… humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit. …” (Alma 13:28.)

I'm wondering, does this mean that, if we desire it enough, we can truly resist ALL temptation (in this life), and thus cease entirely to give in to temptation/weaknesses/etc?

Or, perhaps, does the statement from 1 Corinthians, "make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it", refer to the Atonement - that enters in when, despite our weakness and at times giving in to temptation due to our weakness, the Atonement and faith in Christ are this "escape" spoken of? Which is different than, due to our willingness, simply being able to resist sin entirely in all cases to begin with?

The reason I ask is, (like all) I have personal weaknesses that I continually struggle with - in my mind I would like to be able to resist them entirely in all cases, but experience suggests that this probably isn't possible - rather, in the course of getting stronger/better, failing at times, and then trusting in the Savior, are the only way on the long road to perfection.

Is this fair to say, that the "way to escape" described in 1st Corinthians is the Atonement? And that, despite our sincere desires to resist all temptation, we may simply not be capable of doing so at the present moment? (for an analogy, for example, I might want to be able to lift 200 lbs, an have a sincere desire to do so, but simply may not be strong enough now to do so). At times I wish that it was as easy as simply making the choice not to sin, but the reality of being strong enough to resist all future temptations is quite a different matter, and it seems to me that sometimes we just aren't strong enough at the present time to resist all temptation?

Thanks!

Yes to your view that the 'escape' is through the Atonement.

We must try to remain diligent in all aspects of the Gospel, but partaking of the sacrament is our reset button. When I contemplate all that Christ asks us to do and then read, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30), I can only reconcile this with living a repentant lifestyle through the Atonement.

[Seminarysnoozer]

We will never be truly "independent," like the Lectures on Faith describes, until we become like God Himself, and that certainly won't be in this life.

I don't think God is independent either. All the "lessons" given us as we try to become like Him suggest that he doesn't operate independently.