Sin and temptation is ever prevalent in our lives. No one is excluded from them. Even Jesus, although he did not sin, was still tempted by Satan. We can’t escape it. The Bible even says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”. This message seems dark, drear, and hopeless. After all, we all sin and are tempted. So how are we supposed to overcome sin? How are we supposed to overcome something that is always lurking around the corner? Well, the Bible gives us clear answers on how to do this. So let’s explore the answers God gives us.

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1 John 1:8-10 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Therefore, if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us. It looks like the problem is solved, we just have to ask for forgiveness and everything’s all right, right? Not exactly. There’s a big idea that is key to forgiveness. And that idea is repentance. Repentance is when we turn from our actions that lead to sin. We must do something different in order to reach repentance. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,”. We must repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness.

However, we cannot make a lifestyle of sinning and still be a believer. 1 John 3:8-9 says, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” John explains it perfectly. We cannot make a habit of sinning if we are born of God because we have been born of God! It is simply not possible for a child of God to sin continually if God is in him.

With that being said, how can we fight through the devil’s temptations? Well, one way is to submit yourself to God. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” If we submit ourselves to God, the devil will leave us. However, we must wholly submit ourselves to God, being immersed in His Word, following his commands, and glorifying Him in everything we do. This does not mean, however, we will never be tempted. We will be tempted, but we must resist him, and he will flee from us.

We can also walk by the Spirit in order to resist the devil and not be tempted by sin. Galatians 5:16 says , “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” But how do we know if we are walking by the Spirit? The answer lies within the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.” If we are showing and experiencing these characteristics in our lives, then we are walking by the Spirit. We must allow the Spirit to guide us in the direction we should go, and if we walk with it, the Spirit will not lead us to temptation.

In conclusion, submitting ourselves to God and walking by the Spirit will allow us to endure temptation sinless. Although sin is inevitable, God provides a way to salvation, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.