I feel compelled to address some practical applications as to what one may experience if/when we are truly abiding in Jesus. Hopefully this will bring clarity and clear up any misconceptions or confusion. While I want to continue using the word of God to back this up, as I always do, I am also going to share personal insights that I have learned over the past couple of years since He got my attention and ‘took me back to school’.

And please know, I am in not attempting to hold myself up as some perfect example here, but sometimes, we forget that our walk should be similar to that of Jesus if we are abiding in Him (1 John 2:6). And even Paul, who many think continued to live as a wretched sinner based on faulty teaching from Rom. 7...was the first to say: “Follow my example as I follow Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)

Just because you may be abiding in Christ does not mean you won’t be tempted to sin. But being tempted to sin is not the same as falling into sin and/or continuing to sin. We know the enemy will continue to tempt us. (Luke 4:13; 1 Pet. 5:8; James 1:13-16; 2 Cor. 2:11). And what are we commanded to do when he does? – ‘resist Him’ (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9).

IF... we are abiding in Jesus, we will be overcoming sin which only happens by His grace (Titus 2:11-12; John 15:4-5;1 John 3:6). Would you now please... go read these verses in this order: (Heb. 4:15; 2:18; 4:16; 1 Pet. 5:9-10). Make note that during those tests that will come (James 1:2-4) that God gives you enough grace during that time to stand against your enemy. Will there be some ‘suffering in the flesh’ when you ‘deny yourself’ during this test...as you demonstrate to God that you do love Him more... than the sin you are being tempted with? Absolutely. Now go read 1 Pet. 4:1-2 and see if that does not fill in some missing blanks. This would be a good time to revisit Matt. 7:21-23 once again.

Oh, and this should give many of you a ‘sigh of relief’- you can be abiding in Jesus and still have ‘bad thoughts’. Yep...sure can. You don’t think Jesus had ‘bad thoughts’? We just read He was ‘tempted in every point as we are’. How do you think temptation begins? It is what we do...with those thoughts that reveals what is in our hearts. We are instructed and empowered...to ‘bring every thought into captivity’. (2. Cor. 10:4-5). If there is a particular type of re-occurring thought you battle with, that might be an indicator that you still have ‘something’ in your heart that needs to go. (Eph. 2:1-3). Acknowledge it, confess it, and then repent of it as Jesus sets you free. But make sure you keep that door closed and sealed shut lest you give ‘place to it’ once again...and it won’t be pretty the next time if you do. (Matt. 12:43-45; Eph. 4:27)

Did you know you can be abiding in Jesus and also...experience ‘anger’ at times, or be ‘annoyed’? (Acts 16:17-18). And what are we encouraged to ‘not do’ when we do get angry? (Eph. 4:26). Now read Eph. 4:29-32 so you can clearly see what it looks like to abide in Jesus when we do have those moments of getting annoyed and/or angry. What comes out of our mouths (fruit) only reveals our hearts to us. (Matt. 12:34; 15:18). God may simply be wanting to reveal to you what is in your heart that He wants to deal with. (2 Cor. 13:5)