I sin every day. I don’t want to sin, but I do.
Sin not only impacts me and those around me, but my sin first and foremost impacts my friendship with God. Some sins are a bit more obvious… pride, selfishness, anger, and bitterness, whereas other sins are, well, less obvious. I’m thinking of things like motivations – doing something on the surface that seemed ‘good’ but after further examination, I did what I did, or I said what I said in order to look ‘good.’
Sin is gross. No matter the sin(s), well, not only is it gross, but it hinders you and I from experiencing ALL that God has for us. Very specifically, sin hinders us from enjoying and experiencing His presence in all things at all times.
Thankfully, our Heavenly Father has provided a solution for our propensity to sin. Jesus.
Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin… thank you Jesus, but Jesus also provides the way for us to walk free from sin… PRAYER.
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to seek God for protection and deliverance from the very thing that separates us from Him.
See that with me in Matthew’s Gospel…
“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13 (NLT)
Temptation, in and of itself, is not sin but what we choose to do when temptation comes our way is what matters.
So, when temptation does come, and it will, what will you do? Where will you turn?
Jesus says that we can turn to God for help.
Jesus says that we can look to God to deliver us from the very thing that not only hurts us and those around us, but ultimately, and most importantly, our friendship with God.
Prayer not only nourishes the life of God in us (so thankful that prayer does that!), but prayer is our primary weapon to combat the sin that seeks to take us away from God.
So, when temptation comes as you navigate Day #12 (and the many days after that), PRAY!
Very specifically, ask God to strengthen you to choose His way and not your own.
Ask God to plant within your heart desires for Him.
Ask God for His protection.
Ask God for His provision.
Ask God for His grace because grace is not only pardon, it is power.
When temptation comes… and it will, PRAY.
Please be praying for me and know that I am praying for you.
Let’s be faithful to pray that God would continue to deliver us from the very thing that keeps us from Him.
