But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:14
Back in January, I shared that I had a stubborn sin I wanted
to finally gain victory over in 2014. I was doing so well and was excited at
what I was learning (well, relearning) about gaining victory over a sin that
has plagued me for years. I began crying out to God in earnest to help me
whenever the temptation grew intense.
Remembering His promise to always provide a way of escape, I realized the
escape hatch has always been there, I just didn’t want to take it. This time I
took it, and it felt good to win for a change. Yaay Me, and thank you Jesus!
But then I fell.
Enter guilt sprinkled with a little depression.
Know what I learned? I had locked all the doors to my
temptation, but I left a window open. See, I didn’t realize it, but I had a
loophole in my heart I didn’t know was there. It read something like, “It’s
wrong, wrong, wrong to EVER give in to this temptation… unless… you are
especially down or tired or hungry or angry or (fill in your loophole).” Looking back, I see
how the Tempter whispered, “Hey, these are special circumstances. Nobody would
blame you for taking the edge off just this once. “ Because I had left that tiny window open, sin
slithered in.
Friends, we’ve got to lock all the windows, plug up any air
holes, and bolt every door. We must have a made-up mind. By God’s grace, my
heart is now air-tight. No more excuses.
What about you? How are you faring in your battle against
your toughest sin? What have you discovered in your journey? I’d love to hear
from you.
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