Abiding in Jesus
Introduction
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one.
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. James 1:13-15 AMP
Single people sometimes express the difficulty of keeping themselves pure. (See the following prayers on purity) Some have asked: "Doesn’t God understand that we are only human? Why did He create us with desires; surely He understands and excuses us when we fall into temptation? If He wants me to avoid sexual temptation, then why doesn’t He send me the spouse I have asked Him to give me?"
The Scriptures condemn pre-marital sex, fornica-tion, adultery; and all forms of sexual perversion. (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21 AMP; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5,6.) Although sexual desires are not a sin, if not properly controlled, those desires can lead to sin.
According to James 1:13-15, sin begins with a thought conceived from lust. Lust is not limited to sex. It is possible to lust after many things that can cause sin. That’s why it is so important to take control over the mind and heart to keep them pure and holy - in spite of temptation.
One of the myths that has ensnared many single people is the mistaken idea that marriage will automati-cally release them from the temptation to sin. Without repentance and the renewing of the mind, those who have a problem with lustful thoughts before they are married will have the same problem after they are married, just as those who have a problem with sexual perversion before marriage will continue to have the same problem after marriage.
One married man shared his testimony of deliver-ance from pornography. He was having to continually guard himself from mental images that kept reappearing.
Marriage is not a cure-all for sexual sins or any other sin.
Yes, God does understand. With every temptation He has provided a way of escape. (1 Cor. 10:13.)
Yes, there is forgiveness for sin (1 John 1:9) -through God’s abounding grace. (Rom. 5:20.) The ques-tion is: ..Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? (Rom. 6:1,2 AMP.)
We who are in Christ desire to bring glory to the Father. We cannot do so in our own strength. It is remaining, abiding in union with Jesus that ensures answered prayer, of loving as Jesus loves. (John 15:7-9.) If our prayers are not being answered, it is time to check our love walk We must ask ourselves, "Are we keepingourselves in the love of God - remaining vitally united with Jesus?"
We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] prac-tice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. 1John 5:18 AMP
This verse says that the wicked one cannot touch us. What is the condition? Having Christ’s presence within, staying united with Him - abiding in Him and allowing His Word to abide in us.
If you want to abide in Christ and have His Word abide in you, pray the following prayer with a sincere and believing heart.
Prayer
Lord, I am abiding in Your Word [holding fast to Your teachings and living in accordance with them). It is my desire to be Your true disciple. I am abiding in (vitally united to) the vine. I cannot bear fruit unless I abide in You.
Lord, because You are the Vine, and I am a branch living in You, I bear much (abundant) fruit. Apart from You [cut off from vital union with You] I can do nothing. Your Son Jesus said, If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7 AMP).
When I bear (produce) much fruit, You Father, are honored and glorified. By Your grace that I have received, I will show and prove myself to be a true follower of Your Son Jesus. He has loved me, (just] as You, Father, have loved Him. I am abiding in that love.
Lord, You have assured me that if I keep Your commandments [if I continue to obey Your instruc-tions], I will abide in Your love and live on in it, just as Your Son Jesus obeyed Your commandments and lived on in Your love. He told me these things, that Your joy and delight may be in me, and that my joy and gladness
may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. This is Your commandment; that we love one another Just] as You have loved us.
Father, thank You for Your Word - it is the truth that makes me free. I am born (begotten) of You, Lord, and I do not [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practice sin. Your nature abides in me [Your principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within me]; and I cannot practice sinning because I am born (begotten) of You. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
May Christ through my faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in my heart! It is my desire to be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that I may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [Your devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it].
I pray, in the name of Jesus, that I may know this love that surpasses knowledge - that I may be filled to the measure of all Your fullness. Now to You Who are
able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within me, to You be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Scripture References
John 8:31 AMP John 15:4,5 AMP
John 15:7-12 AMP John 8:32
John 17:17 1John 3:9 AMP
Psalm 119:11 Ephesians 3:17,18 AMP
Ephesians 3:19-21 NIV
