What is your favorite idol? We all have them. For some, it is electronics (i.e., phones, tablets, and computers), sports, sex, money, etc. Mine would probably be books and genealogy. I am a voracious reader, and I love researching my family just for fun. The question is—do I allow them to dominate my life to the exclusion of God? They are often very tempting to put before Bible reading or prayer, the excuse being, “I’ll get around to it later,” or “Just a little bit and I’ll get to it.” And somehow, a bit later never comes, and the day is gone and God is left out. This passage assures us, however, that no temptation, none, will overtake us, but that God is faithful who will not allow us to be submerged by this idolatry, but will provide a means of escape. And we are exhorted at the end to flee (to go swiftly or escape—Webster’s). God want to be first in our life, not play second fiddle to all our other little projects or whims. If you have an idol in your life, give it to Him, and He will give you the ability to leave it with Him and to make Him supreme in your life. And you can still invest time in what you love, just knowing that He will prevent these things to prevail over a relationship with Him.

“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee idolatry.”