What Jesus Said About Confession of SinSample

The Difference Between the Temptation to Sin and to Sin.

In James 1:13-15 we find a crucial passage.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when, by his evil desires, he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

This passage is saying several things about temptation and the act of sinning.

One of the main things is the difference between a temptation to sin and succumbing to sinning.

There is a clear difference between a temptation to sin and to sin. We are often tempted to sin. But a temptation to sin is not sinning. Many Christians feel guilty when they have a desire to sin. Sinful desires do not align with the Word and God’s Guidelines on how a Christian should live. But the temptation itself is not sin. It is important to understand.

When we do not immediately reject the temptation, it will eventually lead to sin.

If they can understand this principle, many Christians will be free from a constant burden of sin and guilt feelings about sin.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern when it is a temptation or if He is convicting you of a sin that must be confessed.