Why the Christian Life Is Always a Struggle

Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

James 1:14

It is clear that we will all be tempted. There is no if here: “Each person is tempted when…” Every Christian will be tempted throughout the entire course of his or her life.

James is talking to Christian believers, and he is reminding us that sin is not out there in the world, it is in here in each of our lives.

When you become a Christian, the guilt of your sin is forgiven by the shed blood of Jesus. Your condemnation is removed because Christ bore your punishment on the cross. The rule or reign of sin in your life is broken. You are no longer sin’s prisoner, you are now under grace.

But the root of sin remains in the life of a Christian believer, and that is why the Christian life is always a struggle: “The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other” (Gal. 5:17). Your flesh will be drawn to various kinds of sin, depending on your temperament, background, past experiences, and so forth. But the reality for all of us is that our flesh is drawn to sin.

What James calls “desire” can refer to the drawing power of impulses that are offensive to God – pride, greed, envy, anger, laziness, lust, and gluttony. None of these are actions. They are all impulses. Sin is not just about actions that are offensive to God. It includes the impulses that lead to these actions, and this is where our greatest battles are fought.

Do you expect to be tempted or does temptation catch you by surprise? Why?