I don't see the verse necessarily promising that God will empower us to overcome any temptation. Rather, it promises that God will filter the temptations that do come. And for those that pass the filter, He gives us a way of escape.

Plus, it does not say that there is no excuse for sinning. What it does say is that for every temptation that God allows his obedient children to face, He provides a way of escape. The conditions underlined and bolded are important.

In short, this verse by itself does not provide the all-encompassing promise of your OP. Bro Tom and I are probably on the same page here.

No, I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just pointing out that your logic is faulty. Arnold's doing a fine job explaining why, so I won't comment further.

A: I don't see the verse necessarily promising that God will empower us to overcome any temptation.

MM: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." It says no temptation common to mankind. Of all the temptations common to mankind, which temptation does this promise exclude or overlook?

A: Rather, it promises that God will filter the temptations that do come. And for those that pass the filter, He gives us a way of escape.

MM: "But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." What do you mean by "filter"? Do you mean of all the temptations common to mankind that God tames them so as not to exceed our level of maturity in Christ to recognize and resist them? Again, which temptation does this promise exclude or overlook?

A: Plus, it does not say that there is no excuse for sinning.

MM: Does it imply it? Where else in the Bible is it taught?

A: What it does say is that for every temptation that God allows his obedient children to face, He provides a way of escape. The conditions underlined and bolded are important.

MM: Does this promise only apply to "obedient" Christians? Does it imply God does not temper (regulate) the common temptations that non-believers face? Is there no escape plan available to them?

A: In short, this verse by itself does not provide the all-encompassing promise of your OP. Bro Tom and I are probably on the same page here.

MM: Which verses would you combine to teach it? In the following passage, where does Sister White find biblical support? Also, which temptations are excluded or overlooked?

DA 311
The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. {DA 311.3}

Arnold, Tom is leaving it up to you to explain what he believes regarding the following questions and comments. I hope you don't mind. Thank you.

MM, even though I said I wouldn't comment further, I will.

The verse says that any temptation which we encounter, we have the ability to overcome. God will not allow us to face any temptation we cannot over come. Hopefully, you agree with this.

What you asserted in your OP was that this implies there is no excuse for sinning. If you wish to make this point, you need to provide the missing links to your argument.

Here's an example of a valid argument.

A.One cannot sin without being tempted.
B.We can overcome any temptation.
C.Therefore there is no excuse for sinning.

Here's another example of a valid argument.

A.There are two types of sins, ones which involve temptation, and ones which don't.
B.We can overcome the sins which involve temptation.
C.We can overcome the sins which do not involve temptation.
D.Therefore there is no excuse for sinning.

Your argument is jumping to a conclusion without filling in the details. It's not the content of your argument which is off, but the form. It's missing structure.

Your questions are focusing on content, which is missing the point.

The promise (1 Cor 10:13) implies there is no excuse for committing sins common to mankind. Why not? Because God will not allow people to be tempted above their ability to resist it. He provides the way of escape.

That's it, right?

No, not it. The temptations are common to mankind, not the sins.

You need to establish some sort of logical link between overcoming temptations (everyone is agreeing the text implies there is no excuse for not overcoming temptation) and not committing any sin.

My previous post gives a couple examples of the form for a valid argument.

This could mean that God prevents some temptations. For example, if I have an intense weakness for [censored], He might arrange circumstances differently for me than for someone who does not have the same weakness.

But it could also mean that God adjusts the strength of the temptation to match our ability to overcome.



It implies it, assuming that temptation and sin can never be separated. But in any case, there is a strong correlation, I think.

But when we talk about sinning and the Bible promises that we can overcome, we must be very specific in our definition of sin. Are we talking willful disobedience only? Are we including everything that is not congruent with God's character? IOW, are we talking objective or subjective standards?




First, Paul was writing to the "brethren" in Corinth. That's Christians. But in a more general sense, that includes all who are born of God, whether or not they are identified as Christians by man's reckoning.

Does that include disobedient Christians? Is there such a thing? Strictly speaking, only the obedient are true Christians.

But using "Christian" loosely, as many tend to do, there are disobedient ones. Can such cash in on this promise? I don't think so. Willful disobedience - rebellion - separates one from God. Once you're separated from Him, where will you get the discernment and power? These people are not born of God and have no claim to the promises of God.

Moreover, the biggest problem facing rebels is their desire to sin. God wants them to obey. God has made the power available. The only thing missing is that they do not want to obey. And when you do not want to obey, any temptation - no matter how small, no matter what way of escape is available - becomes an excuse to sin.

Is there an escape plan for non-believers? Yes. Believe and be saved! Short of that, there's really no point in escaping. But if God allows them to suffer the consequences of sin, they might realize that God's way is better than the alternative.



Gal 5, 1Jn, Rom 6, Rom 8, Eph 2, Tit 2. There's more to choose from. And to really make a compelling case, we need to use all of these.

But really, the excuse to sin is not the big problem. There has never been an excuse to sin. And the sinner does not need one. All he needs is the desire to sin.

So, to be effective in eradicating sin, we need to eradicate the desire to sin. This won't happen by merely showing people that power is available to overcome, or that they'll get in trouble for sinning. What they need to see is Christ lifted up in all His glory. When they see His matchless charms, the things of earth will grow strangely dim. Look and live!

Once one has tasted the sweetness of Christ, why would he want the bitterness of sin again?

TE: The temptations are common to mankind, not the sins.

MM: The temptations common to mankind and the sins commonly committed by mankind are one and the same. The logical link is there is no excuse for committing sins common to mankind because there is no temptation common to mankind that God cannot empower people to recognize and resist.

A: He might arrange circumstances differently for me than for someone who does not have the same weakness.

MM: Do you mean to say God choreographs circumstances?

A: Once you're separated from Him, where will you get the discernment and power? These people are not born of God and have no claim to the promises of God.

MM: Does that mean God cannot temper the temptations that come to people if they aren't more careful?

A: Are we talking willful disobedience only? Are we including everything that is not congruent with God's character? IOW, are we talking objective or subjective standards?

MM: Which sin/temptation common to mankind is excluded in the promise?

A: There has never been an excuse to sin. And the sinner does not need one.

MM: Why not? Is it because God choreographs the circumstances? Is it because He will not allow people to be tempted above their ability to resist it?

A: What they need to see is Christ lifted up in all His glory.

MM: Is this necessary for God to temper the temptations that come to people? Or, does God temper them regardless?