For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

Recommended Reading

Matthew 4:1-11

Sometimes a plaintiff will file a lawsuit against another party for alleged harm. A judge may then examine the claim and “throw out” the suit on its merits: “No law was broken or crime committed.” The defendant may have thought about doing something wrong; but if he didn’t follow through and break the law, he is not guilty.

In a parallel spiritual way, temptation is not the same as sin. Sin is sin; being tempted to sin is not. Nothing illustrates this truth more clearly than the fact that Jesus Christ was “tempted as we are, yet [He was] without sin.” In His humanity, Jesus was tempted the way all humans are but never yielded to those temptations. Resisting temptation was painful for Him (Hebrews 2:18), but through it He learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8). Satan will attempt to convince us to act on temptations and make us feel guilty for being tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). But being tempted is not the same as sinning.

Be discerning. Avoid sin by turning from temptation. And resist the efforts of Satan to have you judged guilty when you’ve done nothing.

You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair.

Various Sources

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Psalms 43 – 49

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/