How many times have you heard this excuse for sin? It seems that everyone who has ever fallen into sin, thinks that these three words excuse them for what they have done; almost like they are a pardon direct from the throne of Heaven.

However, God doesn't see it that way. According to His Word, there is no excuse for sin. Yes, He knows that we are weak, and that we are tempted. But, that doesn't mean He accepts the excuse that we "couldn't resist." He has given to each of us a free will. It is up to us to use that will in order to make the correct decisions; those decisions which help us follow God.

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 a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Don't try and convince God that your circumstance is special; that there's something special in the way that you've been tempted, which nobody else has had to deal with. He knows better than that. You, I, and every person who has been born, since the time of Adam, has had to face the same temptations, for the same sins. There aren't any new ones around.

All temptation falls into three categories: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (1 John 2:16). Jesus Himself faced those three categories of temptation in the desert, and overcame them. That's why the writer of Hebrews could say, "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15).

We must realize that just as Jesus was tempted, we too will be tempted. The key to success is to be ready for temptation. Not by dwelling on those things which might cause us to be tempted, but by knowing ourselves, our weakness, and working to make ourselves strong in those areas.

How can we make ourselves strong? With the Word of God. Scriptural knowledge of those areas where we are susceptible to sin is a protection from those same sins.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…

Hosea 4:6

When we refuse to learn that which is necessary to protect ourselves, we are acting as fools. Instead of preparing for victory, we are actually preparing to fail. I'm not just talking about memorizing scripture verses either, I'm talking about in depth study, where we seek to understand God's heart and purpose.

On the other hand, thinking about our weakness will actually help us fall into sin. Take for example the average man. If he thinks about other women, and thinks about "falling into" an adulterous relationship, he is much more likely to end up in adultery, even though he knows better. That's why Jesus said:

But I say to you, That whosoever looketh on a women to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:28

"Yeah, but I'm not thinking about any particular woman, I'm thinking about an imaginary one" someone might say. If that's true, I can guarantee you that Satan will work his hardest to make sure that man finds a woman who fits his fantasy to a T. Satan is always ready and willing to help us search out ways to sin.

Going back to the original verse I quoted, it says, "…He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…" (1 Cor 10:13). God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is always faithful to watch over and protect us. Because of that, He sets limits on our temptation.

You might ask, "If God knows about the temptation that comes against us, why doesn't He just make sure that we aren't tempted?" That would seem to be a good question, but in fact, the temptations that come against us help us to grow and mature. Obviously, if we fall into those temptations we don't grow and mature. But, when we have victory over them, that is what helps our growth and maturity (Jms 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7).

One who is tempted to get angry, but instead forgives, is maturing. Likewise, someone who is tempted to steal, but stops themselves. Or, going back to my example about the man tempted with adultery. Overcoming his temptation, and remaining faithful to his wife, helps build his character. He becomes a better man for having been tempted, and overcoming that temptation.

The last part of the verse says, "…he will always provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Cor 10:13). This is where God's faithfulness comes into the picture. He always makes sure that there is a way for us to avoid falling under temptation and into sin.

I don't care what the enemy is trying to bring against you, there's always a way out. It may not seem obvious at first, but it's there. Many times, it doesn't seem obvious, because we don't want the answer that has appeared to us. It's there, it's in the open, but our own blindness keeps us from seeing what God has given us as an escape hatch. We must take another look, and see where that exit is; then go through it as quick as possible.

It's always dangerous to play with sin. Our attitude shouldn't be, "How close can I come to sin, without falling into it?" Instead, we should be saying, "How far away from sin can I stay, so it can't find me."

Sin isn't a game. It isn't fun. Oh, yeah, sin always appears good for the moment, but it always carries consequence, some of which last a lifetime. I don't know about you, but I'd rather avoid those consequences.