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Satan likes to use the sin itself as a source of temptation. We see this in Luke 4 where temptations brought upon Jesus by Satan are recorded. Luke 4 also shows us the proper response in handling temptation, which is meditating upon scripture. Breaking free from the cycle of sin, confess, sin, confess, etc. will involve a personal study of the Word of God and committing to memory relevant passages of scripture.
Where accountability comes into play is in breaking free from the vicious cycle of guilt Satan places on a child of God. The more you confess your weakness to God and people close to you whom you trust the yoke of guilt which Satan is beating you down with starts to go away. The less guilt there is the easier it is to focus on stopping. Satan deals believers with a "one two" punch, first tempting someone in sin and then beating the person down with guilt if they gave into the temptation.
Remorse and repentance form a true desire to change your lifestyle. These draw us closer to the Lord.
Guilt and shame are walls which divide us from the Lord. This is similar to how Adam and Eve hid from the Lord after giving into the temptation of eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. They had become ashamed.
It is the Holy Spirit who brings an awareness of sin and leads us into changing our behaviour. When an awareness arrives for the need to change you may be assured of God's interest in your life, maturing you and pruning away behaviours which are self destructive.
The following are two sample prayers for strength and following giving into temptation.
A Prayer For Strength:
- God I can't help myself...give me the strength to resist.
A Prayer For After Giving Into Temptation:
- God, I admit that I am weak in this area. Please forgive me, and show me how to turn this over to you.