We are tempted when we are drawn away and enticed by our own lusts and desires (James 1:14). This means that the temptations arise within us and compel us because of the sinful nature. Temptation itself is not sin but submitting or yielding to it is when the sin is birthed (James 1:15). When we intentionally put this nature to death by submission to Holy Spirit we are able to succeed in overcoming the temptation. This requires intentionality. If we are to be all God desires for us to be we must die daily and submit to His desires and not those of the flesh. Our prayers should always be for God’s desires to become our desires. We must embrace the cross of our own demise if we are to exhibit the life of Christ (Galatians 2:20).

Submitting to Holy Spirit is an act of worship and self-denial. Each day we make the decision of who is figuratively on the cross…Jesus or ourselves. The abundant Christian life happens not as we live but as we die to self and Christ becomes alive in us. Temptation’s goal is always to bring out the worst part of our nature, the sinful part; to further mar the image of God within us bringing forth death. As we resist we demonstrate that we are no longer governed by this sinful nature but a greater nature now lives within, that being Christ. He is no longer on the cross but alive in us!