Note 11 at 1Co 10:13: There are no unique temptations, but the devil likes to make us think there are. If he can convince us no one understands, that no one has ever had this problem before, then he can isolate us and take away our hope. However, any temptation we face is just some variation of the same old thing. It may come in a different size box, be wrapped in different paper, and have a different bow, but the contents are the same. Understanding this defuses much of the power of temptation.

In context, Paul was warning these Corinthian believers, who thought they could eat meat offered to idols without any temptation on their part, to think again. The temptation that the Israelites encountered in the wilderness, which drew them back into idolatry, was still around. If these Corinthian believers flirted with sin, they would be tempted. Therefore, "flee from idolatry" (1Co 10:14).

Note 12 at 1Co 10:13: Even though temptation is universal to mankind, we are not left on our own. God is faithful. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, and yet He overcame every time (Heb 4:15). Part of His ministry is to specifically aid us in overcoming temptation (Heb 2:17-18). This verse gives us God's word that He will not suffer us to be tempted beyond our ability.

Most of us have experienced times when we thought we couldn't resist another minute. Either we were wrong, or we were on the verge of a breakthrough. The Lord promised that He would not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. So, at those times when we can't stand another minute, we need to stand two, and this promise will pull us through.

Note 13 at 1Co 10:13: Some people have interpreted this verse to say that the Lord is the one who brings temptation into our lives and that this is His promise that He will not put on us more than we can bear. That is not so. Jas 1:13 says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man". It's our own lust that draws us into temptation (Jas 1:14). Also, Satan can come against us without any solicitation on our part, as he did with Jesus (Mt 4:1-10 and Lu 4:1-13). It is not a sin to be tempted; it is sin to yield to temptation.

This scripture is not attributing the responsibility for temptation to the Lord, but rather, the Lord is saying there are limits as to how far He will allow us to be pressured under temptation. Even when we reach this limit, this verse does not promise that the Lord will remove the situation. He provides a way of escape, but we have to take it. We can rest assured that anyone who yields to temptation failed to see or just plain rejected God's way of escape. God is faithful to this promise.