Get Out!

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)

Contrary to what some people believe, God doesn't tempt us to sin. He instead works to give us options so that we can choose to deny our common temptations. We fall victim to our temptations when we ignore the warnings He gives us. I believe that God continually gives us a way out, but our choices start to limit the options available to us as we pick the path we will travel.

I liken it to being initially tempted by something and having God give you a garage door sized escape hatch. It's more than big enough for you exit out of without any difficulty. When we make another poor choice towards sin instead of away from it, that opening is reduced in size. Each continual step we make along the path of temptation reduces our options. As we play with sinful decisions we may find ourselves with only a small window left to crawl out of to get away.

It isn't that God wants us to choose to sin--in fact, He will work to provide us with multiple avenues out of it. Our decisions make the way out difficult to maneuver. The choice is still ultimately ours.