Reconciliation.Cafe

You will always struggle with temptation. You don’t have to always struggle with sin. 

In the Bible, Jesus said a couple times to people “Go and sin no more”. One instance was to the woman at the well:

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” – John‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Another was to the invalid at the pool of Bethesda:

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you. – John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Why would Jesus instruct these people to do something if it wasn’t a possibility in this life? In fact, it’s only possible when we do life in partnership with God and do things His way. And that’s the point of Jesus saying that. It’s more than inviting Him to join us, it’s us doing life His way. 

So can we live a sin-free life?

All sin stems from pride. When we take the bait it is a moment of pride. We believe in that particular moment that this “one thing”, that is being dangled in front of us, can satisfy us. We want the satisfaction. We feel we deserve it. And most of us know, the allurement of sin is mere instant gratification, that quickly withers away revealing a hearty dose of guilt and shame. But too often we settle for whatever “it” is now, because we have trouble waiting for the promise that comes from the One who truly satisfies. It’s a tale as old as time. (See the events in the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3.) 

The enemy will always try to tempt you. When “lies” are the only weapon in his arsenal, why wouldn’t he try your whole life to try and get you to take the bait on any one of them? When we take the bait to live a way other than His way: we partner with the lie, take that prideful bite, resulting in letting the sin back into our lives.

How do we combat that and live sinless lives? 

We need to posture ourselves everyday in humility. 

Humility combats pride. We need to be intentional to dress ourselves everyday like it instructs us in Ephesians chapter 4.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. – Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When faced with inevitable temptation, do we choose the easy way or the hard way? The broad way or the narrow way? The deceitful way or the truthful way? The prideful way or the way of humility? 

You will always struggle with temptation. Temptation from the devil. Temptations from this world. Temptation of carnal desires. Temptation is a given. But you don’t have to take that bite. You don’t have to always struggle with sin. Let the Trinity be enough. Seek total fulfillment over temporary satisfaction. 

Go and sin no more.