"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 Corinthians 10:13)

The Bible tells us that God will not allow us to face temptation that is too much for us to handle. When we are faced with such trials, we are given ways and means to escape and overcome, regardless of the situation. Simply put, God ensures that we will have a great chance of victory when temptations come.

If that's the case, then why would God allow us to face temptation anyway? If the Bible says that God makes a way of escape for every temptation we face, why would He allow us to face it in the first place?

The answer is elementary, dear friends. It's for us to grow mature.

Maturity?

Friends, God wants us to be mature. He wants us to be able to discern what is right and wrong, what pleases Him and what does not please Him. He wants us to be able to make the right choices with every situation we face.

James 1:2-4 tells us that the temptations we face are meant to produce fruit in us:

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

The temptations we face, however, aren't from God. They come from our own desires:

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." (James 1:14)

Thus, when we are tempted, God allows us to have a learning moment: an opportunity to recognize that we are being tempted by the enemy to give in to our own wrong desires, so that we can learn to say "no" by the grace of God.

God wants us to grow mature by learning how to make the right decisions, no matter what we face. Only when we are able to discern between right and wrong can we be able to do more for the Lord. Hebrews 5:14 tells us,

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

To be like Christ

Friends, God's ultimate goal in all we do is to make us like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God wants us to be Christ-like and so He will use anything and everything to make that happen, as long as we follow Him.

Romans 8:28-29 tells us,

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

My friends, this is why God allows us to be tempted. Christ Himself was tempted, but He was without sin (see Hebrews 4:15). God wants us to be like that too: able to say "no" to sin every time.