Even though the Redeemed are saved, forgiven, and given new hearts and affections, a measure of corruption remains. Want proof? We still sin. Every day. Our sins do not undo our salvation; we are provided with means to deal with temptation and what to do when we do succumb and sin. Understand the path from temptation to sin, and from sin to restoration.

Temptation. Before we sin we are tempted. We cannot be tempted by anything that we, that is our flesh, does not desire (James 1:14). Temptation is not sin, since we know that Jesus was tempted but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). We can be tempted with things that are inherently sinful or by things that are only sinful when they are abused. (Eating is not a sin, but overeating is.) Prayerfulness helps us guard against sin (Mark 14:38), as does knowing and counseling ourselves with scripture when tempted (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). How are we to resist temptation?

The number one way to resist temptation is to avoid circumstances that we know will be tempting. The first example of temptation and sin in the Bible illustrates this point. Since Eve knew she was not supposed to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she would have been wise not to be hanging around that tree. What can you learn from this?

The second way to resist temptation is to fight it with the Word of God. Jesus provides the perfect example. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Jesus was tempted by the devil himself. What did Jesus do? He resisted temptation’s lies with the truth of God’s Word—He quoted scripture. Because our temptation is not likely coming from the devil himself, we quote scripture not to Satan, but to ourselves. This is why it pays to saturate our hearts and minds with God’s Word so that in the hour of temptation, we have pertinent scripture in mind.

Sin. When we give in to temptation, we sin (James 1:15). Sin is disobeying God’s law (1 John 3:4). Though the believer’s relationship with God cannot be severed by sin, his fellowship with God is damaged (Isaiah 59:2). The result is guilt, condemnation, a lack of peace, and a disrupted prayer life.

Believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be convicted. Conviction, when acted upon, produces contrition, confession, and repentance. More on that next time.