All I Want To

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” 
1 John 5:18 (ESV)

Do you ever lose your temper with your kids again, lie awake that night, and wonder whether a real Christian would fail this often?

I’ll be honest with you. I have been a believer most of my life, but I don’t recall a day since I got saved when I didn’t sin in some way. Either I did something I shouldn’t have done or didn’t do something I should have done. I’m not perfect, but I have a perfect record. I’ve never gone a day without sinning.

So what does the Apostle John mean in today’s verse when he says the one born of God “does not keep on sinning”? The verb is in the present tense in Greek, which denotes continuous action. If you have been born of God, you will sin occasionally, but you won’t sin continually. When God changes your heart, He changes your desire.

Two guys are talking one day. The unbeliever says, “You know, I’ve got a big advantage over you, with not being a Christian. I sin all I want to.” The believer says, “Well, I sin all I want to.” The man asks, “You do?” He answers, “Yes, I just don’t want to.”

But how do you keep from sinning? The answer is you don’t. Jesus keeps you. The word “protects” means to keep watch over, like a guard posted at the door. Satan can tempt you, but he can’t touch you, because Jesus stands guard over you 24/7. You are in the battle with sin, but only Jesus can win the battle of sin.

Let me make it easy for you to understand. Any bad you do is because of you. Any good you do is because of Jesus.

So next time temptation shows up, whether it’s the website at 11:00 PM, the bottle in the back of the cabinet, or the harsh words rising when your spouse pushes your button, say out loud, “Jesus, You’re standing guard over me, and I don’t want this anymore.” Then put the phone in another room, pour the drink out, or walk outside until the words cool off.

A believer may stumble into sin, but he won’t stay in the sin. You can sin all you want to, because Jesus has changed what you want.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that when the battle truly belongs to You–You fight for me. Thank You for standing guard over me when I can’t stand on my own. Change what I want tonight, and help me see the way of escape You promised. In Jesus’ name, Amen.