Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 4/23/2011

Question
Hi thanks for your time. I love God and I pray everyday, and I go out and spread his word to people in other towns and I study my bible everyday. But once a week or so I willfully sin or give in to temptation. I pray and confess these sins and I will do good for 4 or 5 days and feel so holy then I will mess us and give in to sin. choose sin over god. sometimes I don't give in but sometimes I do. Is this willfull sin and am I practicing lawlessness? If i defeat sin and repent for good will God still hold it against me?

Answer
Thanks for writing, Josh.  The struggle between good and evil can't be avoided in this life.  No one can ever defeat sin, but, as we surrender ourself to God, His power can help us change.  The whole point of human life is to realize we can only live as we were created to live, as we rely on our Creator, not on our own strength.  It's the only way we'll ever escape sin to live forever in a perfect place.

Please read 1 Corinthians 10:13.  Also, remember how Joseph ran away from the opportunity to sin when tempted by Potiphar's wife.  

Pray for strength and wisdom in getting away from the temptation before allowing it to take root and cause you to fall.  Recognize it in its early stages.  Don't revisit those places or conditions where you are tempted.  Memorize that verse above.