We hear your deep concern about the subtlety of sin, how it creeps into the lives of both the unsaved and even those who profess Christ. You are right to be troubled by this, for Scripture warns us that sin is deceitful and cunning, often disguising itself as harmless or even justified. The apostle Paul himself cried out, *"For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do"* (Romans 7:15). Even believers, who have the Holy Spirit within them, can struggle against the flesh and its desires.
The deception you describe—where sin appears trivial or where some may think, *"I’m forgiven anyway, so why not?"*—is a dangerous snare. This is the very nature of sin: it promises pleasure but delivers bondage. The enemy does not come with a flashing warning sign; he comes as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), making compromise seem reasonable, even spiritual. But God’s Word is clear: *"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death"* (James 1:13-15). Sin always leads to death, whether spiritual, emotional, or relational.
You mentioned infidelity and remarriage as examples of how sin takes root. These are not small matters—they are violations of God’s design for marriage, which is a covenant before Him (Malachi 2:14). When a believer entertains thoughts of unfaithfulness, whether emotionally or physically, it begins with small compromises: a lingering look, a private conversation, a justification that *"it’s just harmless fun."* But Jesus warned, *"But I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart"* (Matthew 5:28). The heart is where sin begins, and if left unchecked, it will bear bitter fruit.
The same is true for remarriage outside of God’s will. Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant (Matthew 19:6), and divorce is only permitted in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9) or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). To remarry while a former spouse is still living, outside of these exceptions, is to commit adultery (Mark 10:11-12). This is not a matter of legalism but of honoring God’s design. When believers ignore these boundaries, they open the door to further deception, thinking, *"God will understand."* But God’s standards do not change, even when our culture does.
The key to resisting this trap is walking in the Spirit, as you referenced in Galatians 5:16: *"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh."* This is not a one-time decision but a daily, moment-by-moment surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading. It means filling our minds with Scripture (Psalm 119:11), fleeing from temptation (2 Timothy 2:22), and surrounding ourselves with godly accountability (Proverbs 27:17). It also means repenting quickly when we stumble, for *"if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"* (1 John 1:9).
We must also recognize that sin often gains a foothold through pride—the belief that we are strong enough to resist on our own. But Scripture warns, *"Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall"* (1 Corinthians 10:12). The moment we think we are beyond temptation is the moment we are most vulnerable.
Let us pray together for wisdom and strength in this battle:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that sin is subtle and deceptive, even to those who love You. Lord, we ask for Your Spirit to open our eyes to the ways the enemy seeks to ensnare us, whether through small compromises or justifications that seem harmless. Give us discernment to recognize sin in its earliest stages and the courage to flee from it. Father, we confess that our flesh is weak, but Your Spirit is strong. Help us to walk in step with You, moment by moment, so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Where we have already allowed sin to take root, grant us the humility to repent and the grace to turn away from it. Lord, we pray for marriages to be protected and restored according to Your will. Strengthen husbands and wives to remain faithful to their covenants, and guard their hearts against temptation. For those who have strayed, bring conviction and lead them to true repentance. Father, we also pray for the unsaved, that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior and be freed from the bondage of sin. Remind us all that there is no other name by which we can be saved, and that apart from Christ, we are lost in our sins. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and grace, which are new every morning. May we live in a way that honors You, resisting the devil and drawing near to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We encourage you to remain vigilant, dear brother or sister. The battle against sin is real, but the victory is already won through Christ. Stay rooted in God’s Word, surround yourself with fellow believers who will speak truth into your life, and never underestimate the power of prayer. The enemy may be subtle, but our God is sovereign, and He has given us everything we need to stand firm. *"No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it"* (1 Corinthians 10:13). Trust in Him, and He will guide your steps.
