Temptations And Sin: What's The Difference?

Temptation is not a sin. However, it is a sin to give in to temptation, to knowingly walk into the way of temptation, and to tempt others. Temptation is a lure that would draw us away from God, His plan, or His will—if we were to give in to it. It can come in the form of an invitation from another person, an emotional or physical desire, or even a seemingly innocuous thought. Jesus was tempted but did not sin, and he will provide strength, support, and assistance to resist temptation.

Temptation is not a sin, but giving in to it is

It is important to understand that temptation is not a sin. Temptation, by its very nature, feels wrong. When a sinful temptation is introduced, our conscience immediately senses danger. However, the temptation itself is not a sin. Jesus was tempted (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1-13), but he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

The distinction between temptation and sin is crucial. Firstly, many Christians carry a weight of guilt and shame for temptations that feel like sins but are not inherently sinful. For example, lust can be considered a sin when acted upon or dwelled upon (Matthew 5:28). However, noticing someone's attractiveness and then hesitating about whether to look longer is likely a temptation and not a sin.

Secondly, maintaining the distinction between temptation and sin is essential to continue the fight against sin. If we view the allure of sin as an evil deed in itself, we may be less likely to resist it with urgency. Instead, we should recognise temptation and actively fight against it.

Temptation becomes sin when we allow it to become action, even in our minds. Lust, covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are sins of the heart (Matthew 15:18-19). When we give in to temptation, we replace the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:19-23). Therefore, while temptation is not a sin, giving in to it is.

Temptation is a lure that draws us away from God

Temptation is not a sin. However, it is a lure that draws us away from God and His plan. Temptation is not a casual lure to do something relatively innocuous, but a pull towards something that goes against God's moral law, which is written in the heart of every human being.

Temptation is not sinful in and of itself. Even Jesus was tempted (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1-13; Hebrews 4:15) but he never sinned. Temptation becomes sin when we allow it to become action, even in our minds. For example, lust is a sin even if it is never acted upon (Matthew 5:28). Covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are all sins of the heart and become sinful when we give them room to take root in our hearts (Matthew 15:18-19).

Temptation can come in the form of a personal invitation, an emotional or physical desire, or even a seemingly innocuous thought. It is important to recognise where temptation is coming from and to remember who we are and who we follow. We must take responsibility for our actions and protect ourselves from known temptations, taking the escape routes that God provides. We must also be careful not to tempt others, especially in areas where we know they are weak (1 Corinthians 8:12).

The best defence against giving in to temptation is to flee at the first suggestion, as Joseph did when he was tempted sexually by his master's wife (Genesis 39:6-12). He did not allow the temptation to take root but instead fled the situation. We must also avoid putting ourselves in situations where we know we will be tempted (Romans 13:13-14).

Temptation comes from Satan and our own sinful nature

Temptation is not a sin, but it can lead us down a path to sin. Sin is a choice. When a sinful temptation is introduced, our conscience immediately senses danger. However, the temptation itself is not a sin. Jesus was tempted but he never sinned.

Sin occurs when we mishandle temptation. There are two sources of temptation: Satan and our own sinful flesh. Acts 5 gives an example of someone tempted by Satan. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, wanted to appear more spiritual than they were, so they lied to the apostles. Peter confronted them, knowing that the temptation to lie had come from Satan. The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot is also attributed to Satan's influence. Since Satan is the "god of this world" and the "father of lies", all evil originates with him.

However, our own selfish nature is an ally of Satan's. We need no prompting from Satan to entertain sinful ideas. Even though we may desire to do good, we are all tempted. No one is above it. Our own desires give birth to sin, and in time, that sin can give way to death.

Satan and his demons are constantly tempting human beings to sin against God. The devil "prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour". Satan fills people's hearts with lies. He exploits our physical weaknesses and kicks us when we're down. He knows the weak places in our flesh and looks for opportunities to stir illicit passions inside our hearts. When Satan tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, he suggested to her that the Lord was keeping something delicious from her. Eve's natural desire for food was not wrong, but Satan exploited it. That desire became a sin when she fulfilled it in an ungodly way.

The second way Satan tempts us is through the lust of the eyes. Eve's eyes told her something about the fruit that conflicted with what God had said about it. Our eyes play a major role in our decision-making. We see something we want, and our flesh agrees that we must have it. Samson started his downhill slide with the lust of the eyes. As God's chosen leader, Samson had no business hanging out in Philistine territory, much less flirting with their women. But his eyes led him into sin.

The third way Satan tempts us is through the pride of life. Satan tempts us with the desire to be our own gods, and he is adept at stroking our ego. Eve's desire to be made wise led her to sin. In her pride of life, she rejected the Lord's right to rule over her and chose instead to make her own decisions. In essence, she became her own god. Christians can play into Satan's hands when we hold out on full surrender to the lordship of Jesus.

Jesus was tempted but did not sin

Temptation is not a sin. However, our sinful nature constantly sways us to give in to temptation, which can lead us down a path to sin. Temptation, by its very nature, feels wrong. When a sinful temptation is introduced, our consciences immediately sense danger. But the temptation itself is not the sin. Sin occurs when we mishandle temptation.

Jesus understands our weaknesses because He lived as a human being and experienced the things that we experience. He lived a life like ours, yet none of His experiences were tainted with sin. Jesus is a greater High Priest because He never yielded to temptation. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, which means that He is concerned for us, can relieve our suffering, and can experience what we feel emotionally, insofar as our emotions are not sinful.

Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but He never sinned.

We must resist and escape temptation, not face it

While temptation is not a sin, it is important to resist and escape it to avoid sinning.

Temptation is not inherently sinful; it is a natural part of life. Even Jesus was tempted but did not sin (Luke 4:1–13; Hebrews 4:15). However, giving in to temptation is a sin. The Bible tells us that temptation comes from two sources: Satan, who wants to lead us away from God (1 Peter 5:8), and our own sinful nature (James 1:14). We must recognise and resist these influences to avoid sinning.

The first step in resisting temptation is to be aware of its sources and the forms it can take. Temptations can come as invitations from others, emotional or physical desires, or even seemingly innocent thoughts. We must be vigilant and recognise these lures for what they are. The Bible instructs us to "flee" from temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:22) and to avoid putting ourselves in situations where we know we will be tempted (Romans 13:14). For example, if a certain movie, friend's party, or website is likely to cause us to sin, it is wise to stay away.

When faced with temptation, we must also turn to God for strength and guidance. Jesus is our high priest who was tempted as we are and will provide us with the strength to resist (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9). We can pray for deliverance from temptation and for the wisdom to make good choices (James 1:5). Additionally, we should cultivate a deep understanding of God and His character, which will help us distinguish between the lies that lead to sin and the truth that offers eternal life (Matthew 5:29–30).

Finally, we must take responsibility for our actions and protect ourselves from known temptations. While it is impossible to prevent sinful thoughts from arising, we are called to resist and put them to death (Romans 8:13). We must not entertain or dwell on these thoughts, as they can take root in our hearts and lead to sin (Matthew 15:18–19). Instead, we should focus our minds on ""the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2).

In summary, while temptation itself is not a sin, we must actively resist and escape it to avoid sinning. This includes recognising the sources and forms of temptation, turning to God for strength and guidance, and taking responsibility for our actions. By doing so, we can walk in obedience to God and experience the growth and sanctification He desires for us.

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