The Spiral of Sin + Temptation – part 2

Do we have to sin? What a question. Here’s another one: are we sinners trying to act like saints, or is it possible that we are saints who have the ability to choose sin? — God. Is. Faithful. These three words change everything, reminding us that sin is not the end of our story.

God has provided a way out so we can endure and escape the temptation to choose anything other than Him. So, do we have to sin? No. Do we need the grace of God? Yes. Do we need the mercy of God? Yes. Do we need the forgiveness of God? Yes. But do we have to sin? No.

Jesus is coming back as the ultimate victor. He's not returning to re-do everything He's already done because He's already won. Jesus is currently seated on His Throne. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are IN Jesus, not just in His presence. Therefore, we are seated with Him in the Heavenly realms.

As a reminder, the spiral of sin is...

1. Temptation
2. Sin
3. Hook
4. Guilt/Shame
5. Condemnation
6. Isolation
7. Repeat

1 Corinthians 10:13 says that we are going to be tempted. It's a fact, but God is faithful and won't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will always give us a way out. We seem to forget that. Instead, we have an identity problem. We continually say, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace," and that is horrible identity theology. It sounds good and humble, but it's an absolute lie. That's NOT who we are. It should be, "I'm a sinner saved by grace, born again, made alive in Christ, and He has made me a new creation." We still have the capacity to sin, but that is not our identity. Our identity is that we are saints, we're forgiven, and we have a righteous standing before God.

Do you have to go through the door of temptation? No. In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul says that he was the chief of sinners, but that was not the end of the story; he recognized what God had done for him. His knowledge of God led him to write Romans 6:1-14 which tells us that we don't keep sinning so that sin can abound. We have been baptized into his death and raised to live in him. Paul fled from temptation because he knew his identity in Christ was greater than anything the enemy had to offer.

Victory starts in our minds. "I am a child of God, the King. I am a new creation. I am in Christ, and Christ is in me. I am filled with the Spirit and have the power of the Word. I do not have to go through the door of temptation."

God is going to provide a way out. Even if you decide to go through the door of temptation, He still provides a way out. God is faithful.

The biggest way out is not to go in, to begin with. However, the doors are still being offered. They start big and decrease in size each time God gives you a way out, but He's still offering it. It's harder to get out the deeper you get into the temptation, but He's still offering it. So, the size of the doors gets smaller, the distance between them gets shorter, and the consequences get bigger, but God is still faithful in providing them.

Often, we preach, "no, no, no," and focus on the door of temptation rather than focusing on the much larger door of "invitation."

The message isn't that there's victory by saying no to temptation. The message is that there's victory by saying yes to the invitation. Before temptation came in the garden to Adam and Eve, there was an invitation to walk with God, know God, and work with God.

Some of us won't experience victory because we've ignored the invitation. Yes, you've accepted the invitation for salvation, so you're saved, but that's all God's been to you. God isn't interested in you preoccupying yourself with going to Heaven to the point you don't concern yourself with knowing Him.

There's an Invitation to replace Temptation.

1.Come and Know God.

• Step into a relationship with Him. You learn His Word, Ways, and Character. He fills your need for significance, love, happiness, value, and acceptance. You have been made by God, and for God, nothing on any other path apart from God can touch your heart and satisfy you the way God, who made your heart, can satisfy you. This is where you discover that you can trust God.
• James 1:14-17 shows us that temptation is always the quick route that is less than God's best for us. The invitation is more than getting God's best; it's getting God Himself.

2.Walk Wisely.

• Romans 13:14 says to make no provision for the flesh and your sinful desires. This means you have to make practical changes, make environmental modifications to eliminate sinful behaviors, and have accountability with people in your life. "Victory" is often spelled "radical". Do the hard work.

3.Renew your mind.

• You can change your thought pattern in 21 days. Your brain can create new pathways of thinking.

4.Intimacy with God.

• This means you know God's voice and follow him. See John 10:27. By knowing Him, and where He is leading you, you will be able to recognize when the enemy is lying to you.