As Lent opens before us, we've seen that self-denial is not an end in itself but a way of giving ourselves more fully to God. With that foundation laid, we now turn toward the deeper struggle beneath every act of surrender—the pull of sin and the freedom that comes when we deny ourselves for the sake of holiness.
"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
Sin is never just about breaking a rule. Sin is choosing your will over God's will. It is the moment when your desires take the lead and God's desires fall behind. At its core, sin is self-centeredness—doing what pleases you instead of what pleases Him.
When Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, every temptation Satan offered was an invitation to sin. Not because the temptations were outrageous, but because they were self-serving. Had Jesus given in, He would have satisfied His own desires rather than the Father's. Sin always bends inward.
Many Lenten practices revolve around giving up food or drink—sweets, sodas, coffee, or even entire meals. These can be helpful, but only if they lead you toward love, obedience, and holiness. Self-denial that doesn't move you toward God's will is little more than spiritual dieting.
Imagine approaching Lent differently this year. Instead of giving up something neutral, what if you denied yourself in ways that help you resist sin? What if you devoted yourself to stop doing something you know displeases God? Or what if you committed to do something you've been avoiding—something you know He wants from you?
Lent becomes powerful when self‑denial is tied to holiness. When you deny yourself so that you will not sin, you step into the freedom Jesus lived with every day. And the God who is faithful and just meets you with forgiveness, cleansing, and joy.
Reflection Questions:
- What sin of commission—something you do—that displeases God could you stop for the next forty days?
- What sin of omission—something God wants you to do that you've been avoiding—could you practice?
- Can your joy be complete if you continue in patterns of sin, even small ones?
Prayer:
Father, reveal the places where my desires pull me away from Your will. Give me the courage to deny myself so that I may walk in holiness. Cleanse me, strengthen me, and lead me into the joy that comes from obedience.
Daily Assignment:
Make a list of your sins of commission and sins of omission. Ask God which one He wants you to address during these forty days.
Lent is a call to deny yourself so sin loses its grip and God's will takes the lead.
Continue Your Journey
This devotional is part of the 40-day book Beyond Giving Up: A Lenten Journey into Obedient Faith by Toby Lofton.
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