1 Corinthians 10
Escaping Temptation
Do you ever wish you could escape the temptations you face? The Apostle Paul taught a valuable principle that can help us when we are faced with temptation. This lesson is intended to help you rely on Jesus Christ to overcome temptation.
Reading scripture passages. There are various ways to read scripture passages in class, including reading scriptures as a class, in small groups, or individually. Consider students’ needs and abilities along with the learning material when selecting reading methods.
Student preparation: Invite students to study “1 Corinthians 10:1–13: God Provides a Way to Escape Temptation” in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023. As they study, they could ponder this question: “What kinds of escape from temptation has Heavenly Father provided for you?”
Possible Learning Activities
Temptation
Bring a magnet and a metal object to class and invite students to use them to explain the concept of resisting temptation. For example, they could emphasize the importance of staying far away from temptation and the danger of getting too close.
Read the following statement by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or watch the video “Seek Christ in Every Thought” from time code 2:44 to 3:23, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Seek Christ in Every Thought
Metaphorically speaking, yielding to temptation is like approaching a magnet with a metal object. The magnet’s invisible force attracts the metal object and holds it tightly. The magnet loses its power over it only when the metal object is placed far from it. Therefore, just as the magnet is unable to exercise power over a faraway metal object, as we resist temptation, it fades away and loses its power over our mind and heart and, consequently, over our actions.
(Ulisses Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 83)
As you study 1 Corinthians 10, listen for the promptings from the Holy Ghost that will help you know what you can do to resist the temptations you face.
One of the purposes of the scriptures is to help us learn from the lives and struggles of those who have gone before (see 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11; Mormon 9:31). As recorded in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul used the example of the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea and journey in the wilderness as he reminded the Corinthians of ways the Lord was with the Israelites in their journey (see 1 Corinthians 10:1–4).
Notice what the Lord did for the Israelites and the title used to describe Him in verse 4.
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What can you learn about the Savior from the title Paul used in verse 4 ?
Despite the miraculous ways the Lord supported the Israelites, at times they succumbed to temptation. Read 1 Corinthians 10:5–11, looking for the temptations that caused the Israelites to turn away from their “spiritual Rock,” Jesus Christ.
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In what ways do you think our circumstances are similar to those of the Israelites?
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What are common temptations youth face that might cause them to turn away from the Savior?
Think about temptations you are currently facing and how they have the potential to turn you away from the “Rock,” Jesus Christ. Reflect on how your life would be impacted if you were able to overcome these temptations.
The Savior will help us overcome temptation
Remember that being tempted is not a sin but giving in to temptation is. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12–14, looking for principles that can help you overcome temptation.
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What does God promise He will do to help you overcome temptation?
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What words and phrases in these verses describe what God expects us to do when we face temptation?
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What principles did you discover?
Students may identify a variety of principles. Take time to discuss these principles and focus on what is important to the students. Consider asking follow-up questions like “What words and phrases helped you identify that principle?” and “How could that principle help you?”
You may have identified a principle such as God will provide a way for us to escape temptation, but we must choose to separate ourselves from temptation.
Consider sharing additional prophetic statements in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of the lesson. To help students see an example of escaping temptation in the scriptures, consider reading and discussing Genesis 39:1–12 or Matthew 4:1–10 .
Throughout the scriptures and through His modern prophets, the Savior has taught us how to overcome temptation. Read the following scriptures and prophetic statement, looking for what you can do to turn to the Savior and escape temptation. You may want to link them to 1 Corinthians 10:12–14.
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Hebrews 4:15–16 (Note: the high priest referred to in these verses is Jesus Christ)
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President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency:
Our faith in Jesus Christ brings us to repentance and to keeping His commandments. We obey and we resist temptation by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. In time our natures will change. We will become as a little child, obedient to God and more loving. That change, if we do all we must to keep it, will qualify us to enjoy the gifts which come through the Holy Ghost. Then we will be safe on the only sure rock.
(Henry B. Eyring, “As a Child,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 16)
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What did you learn from these scriptures and this statement that motivates you to turn to the Savior to escape temptation?
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What are some ways God will provide a way to escape temptation?
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What can we do to recognize and use the escapes God provides?
Because of the sensitive nature of some temptations, allow students to work on the following exercises individually. After students finish, they could share in general terms what they did. Students should not share with the class the temptations they are striving to overcome.
Complete two or more of the following:
Point out that substituting our own names and situations in the scriptures can help us apply the scriptures to our lives. Encourage students to practice this skill in their personal scripture study.
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Rewrite 1 Corinthians 10:14, inserting your name after “my dearly beloved,” and substitute a temptation you are facing for “idolatry.”
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Record an experience in which the Savior has helped you escape temptation. How could this experience help you escape your current temptations?
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Record specific steps you will take to rely on Jesus Christ and resist a temptation you are facing.
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What did you learn or feel about the Savior as you studied 1 Corinthians 10?
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How can this help you escape the temptations you face?
Commentary and Background Information
How can Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost help me overcome temptation?
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Fighting against temptation takes a lifetime of diligence and faithfulness. But please know that the Lord is ready to assist us in our personal efforts and promises remarkable blessings if we endure to the end. …
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that as we rely upon the rock of salvation, the Savior of our souls, … our ability to control our thoughts will increase significantly. I can assure you that our spiritual maturity will grow at an increasing pace, changing our heart, making us more like Jesus Christ. Additionally, the influence of the Holy Ghost will be more intense and continuous in our life. Then the enemy’s temptations, little by little, will lose their power over us, resulting in a happier and more pure and consecrated life.
For those who, for whatever reason, fall into temptation and are dwelling upon unrighteous actions, I assure you that there is a way back, that there is hope in Christ.
(Ulisses Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 83–84)
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
A principle of eternal progression is that exercising self-control and living righteously strengthen our ability to resist temptation. This is true both in the spiritual realm and in temporal matters. …
As part of God’s divine plan, we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. … He also is a voice of warning against evil and a voice of protection against danger. As we navigate the seas of life, following the impressions of the Holy Ghost is essential. The Spirit will help us avoid temptations and dangers, and comfort and lead us through challenges.
(Quentin L. Cook, “Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 41–42)
How can I prepare in advance to escape temptation?
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught:
Right decisions are easiest to make when we make them well in advance, having ultimate objectives in mind; this saves a lot of anguish [during moments of decision], when we’re tired and sorely tempted. …
Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and redecide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again. You only need to decide some things once! …
The time to quit evil ways is before they start. The secret of the good life is in protection and prevention. Those who yield to evil are usually those who have placed themselves in a vulnerable position.
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 108–9)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Your playbook to escape temptation
Invite students to discuss the role of a playbook for a sports team. Ask students to think about the temptations they are facing as they watch “Your Priesthood Playbook” from time code 3:50 to 5:59, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. In this video, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discusses ways we can resist temptation.
After the video, students could be given time to create their own playbook and plan for resisting temptation.
Your Priesthood Playbook
Video—“Leave the Party”
Students may benefit from watching the video “Leave the Party” and discussing how the principles identified in the lesson are illustrated in the video.
Leave the Party
New Era—“Line upon Line”
Consider showing students “Line upon Line: 1 Corinthians 10:13” on page 40 of the February 2017 New Era. Students could study this page and even recreate their own “Line upon Line” page based on what they learned in 1 Corinthians 10.