It’s not a sin to be tempted... to sin. (Yea...say it again and aloud this time)

Nor is it a ‘sin’ to ‘have bad thoughts’. Where do you think ‘temptation’ begins? And who exactly is the ‘tempter’? It sure isn’t God! (James 1:13). Do you not think that Jesus had ‘bad thoughts’? Of course He did...”He was tempted in all points as we are tempted, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). And here’s the really good news: “Since He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Heb. 2:18). That’s why we are encouraged to come with confidence to the ‘throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need’ (Heb. 4:16). And if/when you do this... something ‘supernatural’ takes place...but you better be humble and admit your need for it when you come to Him for it (James 4:6; Titus 2:11-12).

Oh...something else to consider – knowing who this ‘tempter’ is, we are not advised to ‘ignore’ him, rather we are to ‘resist’ him (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). And did you catch that part where Christ ‘suffered when He was tempted’? You should be aware that when you do stand...and resist...there will be a degree of ‘suffering’ that takes place, as you put that ‘old man’ to death, who inwardly is wanting to yield to sin. This is the kind of ‘suffering’ we’ve been called to endure when we take up our own ‘cross’...and ‘die daily’ (Luke 9:23). But don’t worry…it’s not like you are called to shed blood on a cross like Jesus did for us (Heb. 12:4).

I have a suspicion that far too many sincere folks who profess to follow Jesus are indeed ‘suffering’, but suffering needlessly. In other words, they tend to be suffering from the consequences of continuing to ...sin (John 5:14; Gal. 6:7-8; 1 Cor. 5:5). That can come about in a variety of ways but they just figure they are ‘suffering’ because they are a ‘Christian’ or...perhaps...”that old devil sure has been working hard on them lately”. Would you do me and yourself a favor and stop right here and go read 1 John 5:18, please?

Now let’s read through this next statement shared by Peter...nice and slow – “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Pet. 4:1-2)

Does your Bible state that anyone who has ‘suffered in the flesh’...has ‘ceased from sin.’? And does your Bible also go on to say that the purpose of this is so we ‘no longer should live the rest of our time here fulfilling the lusts of men...but living to do the ‘will of God’? That is how we ‘once lived’, according to Eph. 2:1-3. And just how important is it to ‘do the will of God’? If you need a hint, go read Matt. 7:21. If you are one who likes to have multiple ‘other verses’ to examine that support this or anything else we are studying, and will actually go look them up and read them, you might jot down Rom. 8:16-17, being sure to circle the word ‘if’, when you see it, along with Romans 6:7 and then Gal. 5:24.

Let me offer up a reason as to why this whole topic can prove to be ‘challenging’ for many to read, see, and then embrace; not to mention then going out to apply in your own life. It can be quite hard to ‘unlearn’ something that has been a deeply rooted ‘idea’ or mindset in your life for a long time. Some might refer to this as a ‘stronghold’ in your life, a ‘lie’ that comes from the ‘teachings of men’ and can actually nullify or make the word of God of ‘no effect’, which I find rather remarkable given what we know about the power of God’s word (Mark 7:9,13).

For example...(and this is where it gets ‘delicate’...) Suppose you were taught early on that after you ‘accepted Christ’ that you were then ‘guaranteed a place in heaven’, and since your name was ‘written down in God’s book of life’...nothing you could ever do or say would change your status as a ‘child of God’. Then this ‘supposed truth’ is reinforced throughout your life...can you not see how easily it would be to dismiss or not take to heart all these other verses...that might suggest...otherwise? Would that not be something akin to telling an incoming high school (or college) freshman...that once they were ‘enrolled’...they were guaranteed a diploma whether they ever came to class, read the material or passed any tests?

Oh, but it’s ‘different when it comes to God’s kingdom’? How so? Why would Jesus point out that you don’t enter heaven just because you repeat some words, ‘Lord, Lord’....but ‘doing the will of God’ plays a part in that? (Matt. 7:21). Why does Paul warn us to ‘be not deceived’ in both Eph. 5:5-6 and 1 Cor. 6:9-11 as to who will ‘inherit the kingdom of God’ (and who won’t)? And then after laying out a rather lengthy list of those ‘evident deeds of the flesh’, Paul writes once again...”those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God”? (Gal. 5:21).

Again, citing those ‘red letter words’ from Jesus: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14- NLT). Where does that fit in to ‘Modern American Christian Theology’ these days?

Have I mentioned before that this might be a tad more serious than what many of us have been led to believe? Is it possible that even many ‘wise virgins’...have dozed off? (Matt. 25:1-5). Got time to read one more excerpt on your own today? Why not finish up reading Eph. 5:8-17. I’ll meet you back here tomorrow....(Lord willing).