No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV
Temptation can be a tricky thing. Not because it is hiding to entrap and ensnare us but because it most often is out in the open in plain sight for all to observe. Temptations are not things that will disturb most souls. They appear as beautiful and wonderful things. People become ensnared in them because hearts become complacent and fearless about God. When Paul speaks of the temptations that caught up the Israelites in the wilderness, they were not necessarily the obvious idols. They were common things that people would engage in and do with the surrounding people, and most were not seen as being bad. Temptations more often are found in doing the things that are acceptable in the world, though they are not acceptable to God. Instead of asking whether the things we desire are things God can bless, we more often expect God to bless the things we desire. This is not any different than what has occurred throughout the generations. Yet, God does not wish us to be caught up in these things, and in our awareness of our shortcomings and failures, He provides for us a way of escape. This does not mean that there won’t be struggles. We will not necessarily be quickly freed from the clinging arms of those that tempt us, but in Christ, we can endure the struggles and the hardship. In Christ, our Lord is there to help us in those pains. Not because we have earned or deserve His protection and help but because He has claimed us as His own and desires for us to be free. He desires us to see the truth about the idols that attempt to hold onto us and help us to let them go so that we may be united with Him and know His peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.