"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" (1 Cor. 10:13). From this verse we learn several important principles.

First, temptation is not unique to any single individual. Temptations are common to mankind. Even though we might feel we are the only ones to have faced a given temptation when in the throes of it, let us take comfort that temptations are common to all men.

Second, we learn from this verse that no temptation is greater than our ability to endure it. This seems contrary to our experience, but it is true. How often have you excused sin by confessing the temptation was too great to resist? I am not a mind-reader, nor can I read the hearts of men, but I am confident those who make such excuses are shifting responsibility from themselves. They reason that if a temptation was too great to resist they are somehow not accountable. However, the Bible teaches we are responsible for our sins, because no temptation is beyond our ability to bear it.

Finally, we learn from this verse that the temptation does not exist which has no means of escape from its clutches. I have often heard people excuse sin by saying they chose the "lesser of two evils." Dear reader, God never asks you to choose evil of any kind - lesser or greater. With every temptation there is a way of escape, and God expects us to find the escape from sin and use it!