Struggle with Sin Dear Kids, 1 John 3:8 (ESV) says "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil,

for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." My first thought on reading this was we all sin, even if we have become children of God, calling Jesus Lord and Savior, so am I still of the devil? The key here is makes a practice. The makes here indicates a conscious effort, practice here means it is on-going. This conveys to me not just doing a sin but wanting to sin and ignoring that it is a sin. It is rebelliousness towards God. The verses prior to this says that those who call on Christ should not go on sinning, that we have a choice. We are even told we have the freedom to not sin. To sin is to choose something over God. This can be a struggle for me because many sins offer the moment of pleasure but the consequences of sin are almost always some kind of pain be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. I know this truth so deeply, yet I continue to not only be tempted, but to put myself into temptations way. I desire to serve God with all that I am, yet I feel the pull of my own desires to leave His way and go my way. It is a struggle for every Christian I have ever known, but it is a good sign that we are in love with Jesus. If I didnt care about Him, then I would embrace my sins, justify my sins, twist and turn and contort to convince myself that I am without sin. I pray that you are struggling with your sins, not being blinded by the devil, or your flesh. I ask that you pray the same for me not to be free of sin, but be free to not sin. Love, Dad