dangers of sin and temptation
Apologies for not having any structure to this post and jumping around…...
Sin. It torments us all. Forever tempting us day in and day out. Some let sin drive their everyday lives while others seek Jesus for forgiveness. Let me tell you from experience that letting the enemy wrap the chains of sin around you is the worse mistake anyone can make. There’s a difference between everyday sin and deliberately acting out in sin knowing that it goes against the ways God has set for you to live. Everyday sin is just the little things that our human selves do day to day. It could be letting a cuss word slip to letting a judgmental thought about someone control your attitude or actions. Having a judgmental thought isn’t necessarily a sin but, dwelling on the thought and allowing it to change how you treat that person is. Just be mindful of what sinful habits you have in your life and seek forgiveness daily. Society doesn’t need behavioral modification. It needs spiritual transformation. Trusting your human flesh to refrain from acting out in sin is equivalent to running a marathon on your tiptoes. It can’t be done. Only through God and asking for forgiveness will you find success. Trust in Him and He will help open your eyes through redemption. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7
Deliberately sinning is a whole different ball game. Most people don’t desire to sin. Some will say “that’s just who I am” or “I’m just a sinner saved by Grace.” These are people who let sin control their lives. They have put idols before God by acting out against Him. I had an Idol control my life for 25 years which still haunts me to this day. Anytime temptation rises, the guilt and shame come back as if I actually acted out. The thoughts alone are enough to drive me mad. These are just thoughts and not even actions. The spiritual battles in my mind are a great reminder of how far I have come in my walk with Jesus. Before, when I was acting out, I would brush it off by saying “better luck next time.” I knew it was wrong but I didn’t care. I felt some guilt but conviction was no where to be found. Now, with just temptation, I feel the effects my sin had on my relationship with Jesus. Every time I gave into sin His presence felt like it was cut off completely. The distance between us was immeasurable being so vast the thought of being next to Him seemed impossible. Let scripture be a reminder of how God treats temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.” 1st Corinthians 10:13.
All of this is just the enemy and the sin getting to me. God never left me. He was right with me holding me tight with love. I disappointed God yes, but that didn’t change his mind about me. I am and forever will be his. Nothing can change that. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Finally when I said enough is enough!!! Sin would not control my life anymore. Today my prayer is “I lay all of my sin at the foot of the cross giving it all to You. I'm sorry for kicking you to the side and putting you last. It is time to call you my Savior and make you the Highest Priority in the life. I give my life to you. Make me into the person You will have me be. I’m sorry for all that I have done against you. Please forgive me of my sins.”
Asking Jesus in my life has forever changed me. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
