What does the Bible mean when it says that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we're able?


Let's examine that specific text in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

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 Cor. 10:13)

One must consider this verse in context in order to properly interpret it. 1 Corinthians 10:6-12 states:

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day 23,000 fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
(1 Cor. 10:6-12)

Christians are told not to sin like the children of Israel did after being delivered from Egypt because if you live in sin, you will fall.

Verse 13 states that the temptation to sin comes on every man, but God makes certain the devil does not tempt us to sin above what we are able to withstand. He always makes a way of escape. This is not a license to sin, but it is an injunction to learn to walk free from sin by spiritually discerning God's way of escape.

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