Designed for Greatness: A 10-Day Bible Plan for MenНамуна

Like Christ in a Surprising Way

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. HEBREWS 4:15 NIV

How do we feel when we are tempted to do something wrong? If we love Jesus and genuinely want to follow Him and honor God with our thoughts and actions, we probably feel horrified that we’d even consider to choose to sin when we are tempted. And we feel even worse when we give in to those temptations.

Not one of us escapes even one day without being tempted in some way to sin. Even Jesus was tempted in every way that we are. But—and here is a very big but—He did not sin. Jesus never asked the Father to forgive Him for terrible thoughts or for caving to any temptation to sin. Never.

Here’s what we need to remember: Being tempted to sin is not a sin. When we are tempted to sin—whether the temptation comes to us by a thought, a person, a situation, a desire, or an image—we always have the choice to say no to it.

So, what do we do when despicable thoughts assault our minds or desires for something sinful overwhelm us? We can remind ourselves that Jesus walked on this same earth we walk on and faced the same kinds of thoughts and desires that we face, but He never gave in to them, and we don’t need to act on them either.

When you face temptation, pray. Ask God to help you to walk away from temptation like Jesus did. Thank Him for giving you victory over temptation. And thank Him for His forgiveness for all the times you’ve messed up.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You understand the struggles I face every day as a human. You know what it’s like to be tempted to sin, and yet You never gave in to temptation. Thank You for setting the perfect example for me. Thank You for dying in my place to take the punishment for my sin so I can be forgiven. In Jesus’ name, amen.