“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” – Matthew 26-41a
What do you do when you feel tempted to sin?
Let’s start by identifying what temptation is. Temptation isn’t a sin, itself, it is that push to sin. It might be a thought that nags you or it might be a person who is leading you down the wrong path. We haven’t sinned…yet, but we’re thinking about it or being pushed towards it.
That’s just when we need to be praying, but sometimes we don’t
So, why don’t we?
Guilt:
Sometimes we already feel guilty for even having considered…or even thought about a sin.
“Surely God is already mad at me. How can I go to Him now?”
Yet, God not only bids us to pray in times of temptation but also forgives us if we do sin. So, if you feel guilty, remember that God loves to forgive the guilty who turn to Him.
We Don’t Really Want To:
This one is tougher to admit, but let’s be honest. Sometimes we don’t want to be stopped from sinning. Sometimes we push God away in times of temptation because we want to do the sin.
I’ve been there. It’s at those times I find praying extremely honestly to be very helpful. I’ll tell God plainly not only that I’m being tempted, but that I want to sin. However, then I’ll ask Him to change my heart so that I don’t want to sin anymore.
It’s amazing! He does it!
Though, we really shouldn’t be surprised. It’s exactly what He promised He would do:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
That promise is for you today and every day. Praise the Lord!
I can’t say that I’ve turned to God in prayer every time I’ve been tempted or that I’ve always fought off the temptations and avoided sinning. I haven’t. Yet, even then, I know I can turn to Jesus in repentance and be forgiven. You can, too. That is also God’s promise!
Heavenly Father,
Temptation bombards me every day, trying to pull me away from You. Please help me. When I face temptation, show me the way out. When I want to give in to temptation, change my heart. When I do fall into temptation, please forgive me and restore me.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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