"Do you love God more than your sin?"

Over the summer, I heard this phrase at least ten times from one of my friends as we counseled at a children's church camp in Irasburg, Vermont so now, It's kinda stuck with me ;)

TEMPTATIONS. That’s the word! I would guess that the first thought that comes to our minds when we read that word is something related to “sexual sin“... whatever form of it that may have played out in your mind.

2 Corinthians 3:18 [AMP]

And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

What are we talking about?

Before we move forward, let’s dispel the idea that not everyone gets tempted. We would not only be ignorant to make such assumptions, but quite frankly, we would be deceiving ourselves. Everyone gets tempted. It doesn’t matter who they are, what they have become, or how high of a pedestal we have put them in any societal construct.

James 1:14-16 [TPT]

14 Instead, it is each person’s own desires and thoughts that drag them into evil and lure them away into darkness. 15 Evil desires give birth to evil actions. And when sin is fully mature, it can murder you! 16 So, my friends, don’t be fooled by your own desires!

The Christian Journey

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross took away the sin and consequences of sin (i.e., death and separation from God) of every believer who repents and confesses Him as savior and lord over their life. That process is what we term SALVATION.

However, the journey doesn’t stop there. The journey of becoming more and more like Christ is then the believer’s new path. This simply means giving up old habits, behaviors, and interests that do not align with who Jesus is. That includes (but is not limited to) how we should speak (Ephesians 4:29-31), treat others (Ephesians 4:32), behave (Colossians 3:23), and passions to give up (Romans 12:1-2). This is called SANCTIFICATION and is a lifelong journey to becoming more and more like Christ every single day.

The last part of the journey is GLORIFICATION, and this is when we get to heaven, and there is no presence nor the ability to sin because we would be so in awe and delighted in the glory of God.

Ephesians 4:22-24 [AMP]

22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].

As a believer, you are in the process of the daily renewal of your mind and heart to become more like Jesus. That also connotes that your challenges, struggles, and TEMPTATIONS would also come by daily.

1 John 2:6 [AMP]

6 whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.

So What?

The question again is asked, “Do you love God more than your sin?” Do you cherish your walk with and growth in God to put away your lustful desires? We know that there are three facets to lust, and we would use Adam & Eve as an example (teaching by Robbie Pruitt):

First, they were tempted by their physical needs and ate the fruit, choosing it above their relationship with God. This was the result of giving in to the lust of the flesh.
Second, they were tempted by desiring that which would harm them because it looked pleasurable. This was the lust of the eye.
Third, they were tempted to be their own God. When the serpent said they would be like God if they ate the fruit, this was the pride of life.

This is a post for personal reflection, even for me. What struggles do I currently have that clearly or subtly are a form of any of those three lusts, and to what extent would I let it take control of my body & mind?

1 Corinthians 10:13 [AMP]

13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

“But how can I know and discern the way God has made?"

James reminds us that in every temptation, God has and will always provide the way out so that we would live above the “power” of sin.

Psalms 119:9-11 [AMP]

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]. 10 With all my heart, I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. 11 your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Meditate on scripture pertinent to your struggle... We’re blessed to have easier access to scripture, so you are a google search away.
Find them, write them out, and pray them every day asking the holy spirit to give you the strength to overcome and wisdom to get rid of things that make you stumble.
Then in thanksgiving, praise God for the gift of Jesus’ victory over sin.
Lastly, speak those scriptures out loud to yourself so that when those temptations come, you already have those words stored in your heart as your "sword of faith" in the battle against the devil.

This does not happen overnight! Instead, the Holy Spirit is at work in you every day as you meditate on God’s word, and then you get to a place where that addiction you once struggled with becomes a thing of the past.

Keep in Touch!

If the Holy Spirit showed you something, please leave a comment so we can all benefit.

God bless you. Jesus loves you!

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