Most Beloved Son of God, I sometimes wonder why I still experience temptations to sin. I do not believe it is You who is trying to seduce me into sinning. I do understand that You allow Satan to tempt me in order to refine my faith and help me grow in my dependence on You. I know that turning to You for help draws me closer to You and helps me put Your teachings to work in my life to give me victory. It is easy to blame others and make excuses for what I do that is wrong. Excuses like … it’s someone else’s fault … I just couldn’t help it … everybody is doing it … it was just a mistake, nobody is perfect … the Devil made me do it … I was pressured to give in … I didn’t know it was wrong … try to deflect from my weakness in resisting Satan’s deceits and temptations. When I use excuses, I’m trying to shift the blame somewhere else. As a Christian I should accept blame, confess my failings and ask for Your forgiveness.
Your Word tells me … “When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me; but each person is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully-grown brings death.” That is why I should not let the Devil deceive me into believing something he promotes can ever be good. One thing I know is that You do not change nor do You change what You stand for … evil is evil and good is good. Every word spoken by You is truthful and every word spoken by the Devil is evil and a lie. So, who then, should I believe … the teller of truth or the Father of Lies? Temptation is like a lure at the end of a fisherman’s line. The Devil casts out something that entices me and when I take it I become hooked. My problem is that I live in a lust-filled and self-indulgent body. That’s why I need to be attentive to everything You say.
Being man, while also being God, meant that You underwent every temptation common to man. You were even led into the desert for 40 days for a long and difficult time of testing. As a Christian, I too, will likely be led into difficult times that try my faith and strength. When facing a trial, I must check my conscious to be sure I have not brought the trouble upon myself by bad choices. If I find I have no sin to confess, I then should ask You for the strength to overcome my circumstances. Additionally, I must follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads me. I must never forget that Satan chooses the time he will tempt me. I must be on guard during good times as much as when I am discouraged. The Devil is dedicated to fighting You and those who follow and obey You. Help me always call upon the “sword of the Spirit” to defend myself when the Devil attacks. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so you can stand up under it.