How does Proverbs 6:28 connect with 1 Corinthians 10:13 on temptation? Setting the Scene: Two Verses, One Theme • Proverbs 6:28: “Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?” • 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.” Proverbs 6:28 — The Certainty of Consequences • The context warns against sexual immorality (vv. 24-35). • The image—bare feet on live coals—asserts a literal, unavoidable outcome: sin always burns. • No exceptions are offered; the proverb trusts the moral order God built into creation (Galatians 6:7-8). 1 Corinthians 10:13 — The Certainty of Escape • Paul addresses everyday temptations, including idolatry and immorality (vv. 6-8, 14). • Three promises stand out: – Temptations are “common to man”—never unique or inevitable. – God actively limits their intensity. – God always outfits each trial with a tailor-made “escape,” empowering obedience (2 Peter 2:9). Connecting the Dots • Proverbs 6:28 shows what happens if we ignore God’s wisdom; 1 Corinthians 10:13 shows what happens when we rely on God’s faithfulness. • Together they form a balanced theology of temptation: 1. Consequence is real—hot coals scorch. 2. Choice is real—God never forces anyone onto the coals. 3. Provision is real—an escape route exists before the first step toward the fire (James 1:13-15). • The contrast sharpens personal accountability: If my feet burn, it is not because God failed to provide but because I refused His way out (Proverbs 1:24-31). Practical Takeaways • Identify the coals: list situations where sin predictably “scorches” you. • Look for the escape early: God usually opens the door before the heat rises. • Trust His limit: even when tempted, remind yourself aloud that God has already measured the intensity. • Walk in the Spirit daily (Galatians 5:16) so your first reflex is to seek the exit, not test the temperature. |
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