When you just don't want to....

Most days we have it under control don't we? That thing that is tempting us - not a problem. Our focus is on the Lord and our walk with Him. We focus on the tasks at hand and are successful. Good day...check.

But some days aren't so easy are they? That thing that is tempting us gets the best of us. One slip. Maybe it was thing we shouldn't have said. Maybe it was the thing we shouldn't have done....or the thing we shouldn't have looked at. Maybe it was just the thing we shouldn't have thought about.

 Last week we pondered practical ways to refrain from eating the forbidden fruit in this entry.

Today we'll look at the things Scripture tells us to do when those slip ups happen.

First Realize: 

• Realize that even at our best, we have all sinned 

 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23 NASB)

• Realize that God forgives our sin. 

But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9 NASB)

• Realize we can have victory over sin. 

 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NASB)

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Then Repair: 

• Pray and confess your sin to the Lord.

Psa 32:5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 

• Repent.  (Make a U-turn. Repenting is not just being sorry, but being sorry and following that with appropriate actions) (Acts 8:22a, 17:30, Rev 3:3a, 3:19)

Act 8:22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God...

• Strengthen your resolve for next time - Remember the way you feel now and use that feeling to make you stronger in the future. Who wants to feel like this?? Right?)

When we sin, we don't lose our salvation, but sometimes we sure do lose the JOY that comes with it! 

Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 

So remember this feeling, so you will have more strength next time the temptation comes. 

Deu 9:7  Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

While you should remember how this feels, also remember that GOD will NOT remember your sin once you have confessed it and asked forgiveness.

Isa 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 

 Hallelujah!