I received a very insightful comment to my last post, Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong??  –  TEMPTATION [5],  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt.  This reader requested a post to address their questions.

Here is the comment that I received…

Very interesting. I would like to see a post on how — if we do “give in” to the temptations we endure (“deal with”)— how God reacts to that, how we ask for forgiveness / what God does when we ask for forgiveness. I think it’s inevitable to “give in” to temptation, even for the little things.

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The reader’s questions will be highlighted in orange, and my response will be in black.

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HOW DO WE (“DEAL WITH”) “GIVING INTO” TEMPTATION —

The aftereffect of giving into our temptations is the same, yet different, depending on whether you’re a Christ-follower or not.

HOW GOD REACTS TO PEOPLE WHO “GIVE INTO” THEIR TEMPTATION —

Both Christ-followers, and non-Christ-followers experience the natural consequences of their choices, their yielding to temptation.  But being set free from the guilt of sin, is where Christ-followers and non-Christ-followers differ.  God’s promises to Christ-followers do not automatically apply to non-Christ-followers.

If you are not a Christ-follower, see The Cornerstone… to learn more about becoming a Christ-follower, http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ,  Jesus has taken away your sins, past, present, and future, when He died on the cross, and He provided a way for people to enter heaven.  He (Jesus) personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. –  1Peter 2:24

                                          

Ephesians 1:7, He (God) is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt. Granting and receiving forgiveness is so important because it enables relationships to be restored.

                                         

 

HOW DO WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS —

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:9    

The verse above tells us to “confess” our sins to God. The word “confess” means “to agree with.” When we confess our sins to God, we are agreeing with God that we were wrong, and that we have sinned against Him.

We also see in this verse that God is faithful.  This means that He forgives the sins of all those who receive Christ as Savior, God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:9

WHAT DOES GOD DO WHEN WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS —

After we acknowledge our wrong doing, God applies what Jesus did on the cross for humankind.  Jesus paid the price for the sins we’ve committed, and will commit.  God forgives us, and restores our relationship with Him.

God frees us from our guilt, but we will still have to “deal with” the consequences of our choices.

When we confess our sins to God it is important that we have a change or attitude, a change of direction.  To acknowledge our wrong doing is an important first step, and sinning no more, in that area, is an important second step.

Remember what Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, …“Go and sin no more”  –  John 8:11

Jesus did not condemn (criticize or belittle) the woman, but He didn’t ignore or condone her sin.

God recognizes that everyone has sinned; that all fall short of His glorious standard – Romans 3:23 But with God’s help we can receive forgiveness and stop doing “wrong”.

IT’S INEVITABLE TO “GIVE IN” TO TEMPTATION, EVEN FOR THE LITTLE THINGS —

You are right on target when you say it’s inevitable to “give in” to temptation, even for the little things.

The Bible confirms this,

Ecclesiastes 7:20, Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. 

1 John 1:8 says, If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

                

KNOW THAT GOD LOVES PEOPLE —

God would do anything to restore our relationship with Him.  Perhaps you’ve seen this well-known, but often disregarded, verse at sporting events.  This is how much God loves us…

He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  –  John 3:16

                            

 

I hope this has answered your questions 🙂

I encourage any of my readers to please leave comments or questions in the comment section, and I will do my best to answer those for you.  As the saying goes, no question is a dumb question, and other people probably have the same question.  🙂

**TO READ THE ORIGINAL POST, SEE BELOW LINK**

Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong??  –  TEMPTATION [5],  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt

What Is Driving Our Temptations??  –  TEMPTATION – [7],   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-yx

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