Sin and temptation
Is being tempted a sin?
Short answer
No. Jesus was tempted in every way, yet never sinned. Temptation is the knock at the door. Sin is opening it and inviting it in.
Many Christians feel guilty just for having a tempting thought. But temptation is not sin. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
Sin begins when you feed the thought, plan it, enjoy it in your head or act on it. James describes the chain: desire, giving in, sin, death. The earlier you stop, the easier it is.
You can win. No temptation will be more than you can bear, and God always provides a way out. Often it's simple: leave the room, put the phone down, call someone, say a verse aloud.
Next time, don't panic or feel dirty. Pray: Lord, I'm being tempted. Help me. Then take the way out.
My verses
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”