Daily Devotional for Friday, September 23

The Origin of Lusts

“I did not do it. My hand did it” are words I distinctly remember a classmate uttering as our teacher confronted him after he struck another classmate. We may try with all our might to find some blame outside of ourselves when we sin. But our sinful acts are a direct outflow of our sin nature. 

Satan knows exactly what we want, and he knows exactly when to tempt us. We possess within us certain sinful desires and lusts that Satan will often exploit to tempt us to sin. While Satan is a deceiver and a wicked tempter, he is only guilty of tempting us toward the things we already desire. Tragically, the outcome of our sinful choices is a debris field of destruction, pain, regret, and heartache. 

Satan is a masterful artist of deception who always does his best to tempt us based on our internal lusts. He will take something you desire and make it seem so enjoyable and liberating. Yet, hidden under his deception is a prison of destruction and death. Once we give in to Satan’s temptations, he then unfolds his lies such as “you have failed” and “God cannot forgive you” in an effort to keep us trapped in our sin.

JUST A THOUGHT: Satan may convince you that sin is free, but he is a liar and a con artist. Flee his temptations and fight your lusts with the truth of God’s Word.

Steven Ridings