Sin is Not Inevitable!

Article by Phil Bray

            Sometimes we walk around with heads hanging in shame and frustration. We have swallowed the lie that sin is inevitable. No matter how much we want to obey Jesus, no matter how clearly we see the destructive suffering caused by our sin we will be inevitably drawn back to it again and again. We might resist for a season, perhaps even for a long time, but we will fail. We are only human after all. We are incapable of not sinning. To be human is to sin. Right?

            No! Praise God, no! Listen to the precious promise God makes in 1 Cor 10:13-14, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” There are three aspects to this promise, a promise that sin is NOT inevitable! 

            First, the temptation that assails your heart, that temptation is not unique to you. It is not some new chimera of temptation that has never been resisted before. Whatever temptation you are facing and enduring is something common to the experience of humanity. It is something “normal” in the sense that it has been faced, endured, and overcome before by many others. Take heart beloved! This sin is not unconquerable! 

            Second, God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to endure! He faithfully keeps you! He keeps you from all evil (Ps 121:7). In fact, God keeps your feet from slipping into the pathways of sin (Psalm 121:3). God takes us by the hand and guides us in the pathways of righteousness for the sake of His name (Psalm 23:3). He strengthens you faith through a spiritual armor of godly character so that you may be able resist the enemy (Eph 6:10-20). He will not allow you to be tempted to an extent that sin is unavoidable! That is the promise! You have the power of God in you, sufficient to resist and remain faithful to Jesus. The question is whether or not you will access this power.

            Third, God will faithfully provide a way of escape so that you may be able to flee from the idolatry and sin that threatens to overwhelm and drown your soul. He will always give you a way out. Sin is not an inescapable trap once the net of temptation descends upon your heart. You always have a way out. God promises it is so! The question is whether or not you will seize the path of escape when God reveals it to your heart. 
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            John writes to the church in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin.” He goes on to explain that we do have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, who is the propitiation for our sins. In the event that we do sin Jesus swallows up our guilt and condemnation but that sin is not foregone conclusion that is inevitable. HIs goal in writing is to prevent sin! Sin steals our joy and chokes our heart of the peace that comes with relationship with God. You do not have to sin! You are no longer a slave of sin! “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Rom 5:15). Entrust yourself to God and pursue Christ! Discipline yourself for godliness and flee from idolatry! That is the conclusion Paul makes in this verse. In light of this promise that sin is not inevitable we must flee from it! Do not toy with sin! Flee from it as God gives you a way out and sing God’s praise for His faithful love as you run!