Answers

By   •   December 28, 2010   •   Topics:

Q:

I thought that when I gave my life to Jesus I wouldn't have any more problems with temptation but it sure hasn't been true. If anything, the temptations have gotten stronger. Why is this?


A:

As long as we live, we’ll never be completely free from the temptation to do wrong. As we grow older, our temptations may change — but they’ll always be there, seeking to lure us into their trap.

Why is this? After all, when you came to Christ, God Himself came to live within you by His Spirit — so why should you want to keep sinning? You’re no longer the same person you once were; you have been given a new nature. This is why the Bible says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

But your old sinful nature still lives within you, and this sets the stage for a struggle you didn’t used to have — a struggle between your old sinful nature and your new Godly nature. Even the Apostle Paul was troubled by this struggle: “The evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). In addition, Satan doesn’t like what’s happened to you, and he’ll do everything he can to turn you away from Christ.

The good news is, we don’t need to fight this battle alone! When temptations come, don’t dwell on them but flee from them, and ask Christ to help you by His Spirit. Learn too to avoid situations (and people) that you know will tempt you. Most of all, grow closer to Christ, because the nearer we are to Him, the harder it is for temptations to touch us.