God & Me - Week 1: Tuesday

1 Corinthians 10:12-14

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 from idolatry.

Commentary

St. Augustine of Hippo
Those who want to obey God, but can’t, already possess a good will, although it is small and weak. But they are able to obey when they obtain a strong and robust will…God works in us so that we can have the will to obey. Once we have this will, God works to perfect us. The apostle Paul says “I am confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Therefore, God operates without us so that we can will to obey, but when we act on our will, He cooperates with us.

Questions

• What word or phrase really stood out to me that I should consider memorizing? 

• What do these readings tell me about who God is and His role in my spiritual warfare? 

• What is a temptation I am currently struggling with? Do I have the will to fight the temptation?