For decades I have prayed that God would take away my sinful desires. I have hoped that a time would come when I would not lust after sinful pleasures.
I often disgust myself and wonder why God doesn't just take away the temptations.
Why doesn't He just change my desires?
Wouldn't I be much more effective for Him if I didn't have to struggle with temptation?
Is there no cure?
It seems that Paul thought the same thing.
He wrote in 2 Corinthians 12 about a thorn in the flesh., some kind of a problem that was distressing him.
The end of Romans 7 clearly indicates that Paul struggled with temptations, too. Like you and me.
Paul asked God to remove the thorn, but God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).
Think of it like this: if God removed all temptations and difficulties, we would think that we're pretty good. After all, no problems means righteousness, right?
If I ever got to the point that I didn't struggle with temptation, I wouldn't need any help from God.
Rather than praying that God would remove temptation, I should call upon Him to resist it. I need to humble myself and ask for help from the only One Who can help me.
As I experience His power in the deliverance from temptation, rather than the removal of temptation, I will be able to boast in my weakness and God's power.
As I live a life of purity, God's strength will be evident in my life. He will look great and my sin will look miserable.
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