KNOW BETTER
“When you are old enough to know better”
There is a time in life when our immaturity makes excuses for us. In childhood, in adolescence, even in early adulthood—we stumble, we fall, and the world understands. We’re learning. Growing. Becoming.
But there comes a point when age demands accountability. When maturity calls for wisdom. And when experience—no matter how painful—should begin to bear fruit. At some point, we are old enough to know better.
So what’s the excuse now?
We’ve lived long enough to see the cost of pride, the danger of arrogance, the emptiness of selfish ambition. And yet—if we’re honest—some of us still walk as though we’ve never been warned. We judge others harshly while hiding our own shame. We’ve been high and mighty before… until we fell.
And maybe, just maybe, it was God who allowed the fall—not to destroy us, but to humble us.
Yes, we repented. But still, we feel the sting of regret. The weight of embarrassment. The tremble of fear. The echo of weakness.
But here’s the hope: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
You’re not the first to fall. You’re not the only one who’s ashamed. You’re not weaker than the rest. You’re human. And you’re not alone.
Temptation is universal. But so is God’s faithfulness.
HE never promised we wouldn’t face trials—HE promised we wouldn’t face them alone. HE promised an escape. A way through. Strength enough to stand.
So the question now isn’t just, “What’s my excuse?” It’s, “What will I do now that I know better?”
Let us walk humbly. Let us remember mercy. Let us be living proof that grace is not just for the young and foolish, but for the old and fallen too.
Because knowing better isn’t the end of the story—it’s where redemption begins.
Previously mentioned Scripture.
1 Corinthians 10:13
New International Version
13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
King James Version
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Living Bible
13 “But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it.”