Temptation and Sin

Temptation is surrounding us; what will you do with it. If it is you against temptation, you will lose. If it is me against temptation, I will lose. No matter how far we run from, keep away from, or pass by our temptations, they will come back! Jesus himself was tempted in the desert; thus,  you cannot say that you will not be tempted. However, you must run to God to get through the temptation without sinning. Being tempted does not mean, by default, that you have sinned. When you are tempted, when I am tempted, thoughts can race through our minds. It is what we do with those thoughts, those desires, that drive that can make or break us.

When I am faced with temptation, alone I will fall. When I run to no where, I will fall. When I try to ignore it I, again, will fall. No matter what I do, if I do it alone, I will fall. When I put God into the equation, anything is possible. I can overcome the temptation, I can set my mind free, I can be at peace! But this isn't what I've always done. I, being human, have sinned. I have given into temptation many times as I'm sure you have too. I have places other things as a higher priority than God in my life. Studies, school, work, guys, money, friends, and family have all been more of a priority than God at some point in my life. One cannot serve two masters, I have to make my priority God and everything will fall into place.

Being tempted, as I said above, is not sin; it can, however, cause one to sin. When we live a life without God, we are tempted feverishly. When we live a life with God, we are tempted even more. God never said it would be easy!

I used to say that "God will only give the burden you can bear;" I was incorrect. Life will always put on you more than you alone can handle, that way God is a necessity in your life. If you could handle it all on your own, you wouldn't feel you needed God. Life sucks because we need to know Him. Even when we do, it doesn't mean that it will all get easier, it means that it will get harder. In Mathew, Mark, and Luke it talks about being persecuted because of God's name; it also says that if you stand with Him you He will not deny you. If I believe as I say that I do, I will have more hardships. If you are looking for an easy way out, then that's not what God promises. It isn't about ease of life, it is about knowing where you will go after your body dies.

Temptation only reminds us of how weak we are without God in our lives. Will there be temptation, yes. Can you conquer it alone, no. Will you sin if left alone, yes. Can you conquer it with God, yes! Will you sin if you are running (not walking or strolling) toward God, no -unless of course you are only saying you are.

I fail at this in life, as do most people. Temptation is hard mountain to get over!