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“Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness.” (Purpose Driven Life, p. 205)

When you read and study as much as I do, rarely are you stopped in your tracks by a quote.  This quote, however, actually caused me to hold my breath as I read it.  So often we think that our temptations are weakness.  “If only I could change” we think.  But is it possible that the reason we face so much temptation is because there is an intelligent force working against God’s will?  And if that’s true, should we carry that guilt of not being perfect?

Paul tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Yet I have a hard time believing it. I want to be perfect for God, and get disappointed (and a little depressed) when I’m not.

I can’t live my life the way God intended until I let go of the guilt.  Until I can turn to God and say, “I am sorry” and really accept his response of “I forgive you” I will never be free.

And it’s that freedom that Jesus died for.