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. Here’s how God describes it in the book of James:

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15

When we are tempted, that’s 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!

None of us can say that we’ve turned to God in prayer every time we’ve been tempted or that we’ve always fought off the temptations and avoided sinning. We haven’t. Yet, even then, you can turn to Jesus in repentance and be forgiven. That is also God’s promise!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

Let’s pray.

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 lead me to repent and then forgive me and restore me.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.