Why does a Christian sin?

Thank you for this good writing Tuc.

What you have written I learned from Joseph Prince. And the more I read my Bible the more it becomes my own and I see it.

I try not to try which is still trying. Then Spirit brings to mind Faith in the finished work. I died. I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

A desire for holiness is far different from a trying to keep holiness.

Trying shows your continuing unholy ugly parts.
Desire activates faith for God to finish the work once begun.

Trying to be holy bad
Desiring to be holy good.

Maybe Im off here and what you wrote.

100% of the time a Christian sins because they want to do so. Not that in their heart of hearts they would rather not sin, but for whatever reason they choose to sin over not sinning. My point is that there is not accidental sinning.

Your post explains why there is a battle. But bottom line we do have the power to choose not to sin. The question is whether we are willing to walk in the Spirit or step off that path.

James left us a very simple answer for why someone sins. ...."they are drawn away of their own lusts and when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin."

If we will simply abide in Christ, we will be kept safe and the evil one will not touch us. So Paul writes "walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

We will suffer being tempted, just like Jesus, but He was perfected through the things He suffered and once made perfect became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.

Those who obey Him abide in His love, just as He obeyed the Father and abode in the Father's love.

This is the obedience of faith, the faith that is the victory that overcomes the world.

No one abiding in Him sins. In other words, abiding in Him never results in sin. Sin happens by being drawn away and fulfilling our own lusts.

Mak

Do Nothing Christianity is absolute lie of a Devil. Jesus clearly said in Matthew 11:28:-

Come to Me, all [z]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is [aa]easy and My burden is light.

There is a yoke that every Christian should take. No one will put a yoke on top of another and ask him to do nothing.

The people who preach such do nothing Christianity also believe that Sermon on the mount and all teachings of Jesus as Old Covenant, not applicable for us. Such a big lie.

The proof should be in life, I am sure people who preach such do nothing Christianity will themselves live in open sin. They will have ugly married life, cannot have fellowship with anyone and hence not part of a Church at all.

Apostle Paul struggled with his flesh in Romans 7 because he did not have power of the Holy Spirit. He was given the power in Romans 8 life. That is why Romans 8 is life lead by Spirit.

Only person who is dead is the Old Man who lived how ever he wanted. The new man is born of God's word. He wants to please God by keeping every word of God. But the new man will be weak without the power of God. The habits of Old Man can easily over power the New Man if he is devoid of Power of God. That is why we need God's Holy Spirit to face everyday.

Everyday we have to abide in the death of Christ, take up our cross. Otherwise we can fall into sin anytime.

As Brother Alan Martin pointed out from James 1-16:-

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by HIS OWN LUST. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

There is no deception here. The Scripture is very clear here. It is our own Lust that tempts us. Let God alone be true and every man a liar.

We all have a flesh that we inherited from Adam. This flesh does not die at all. As long as we live on this earth we will be tempted by this Flesh. When we are born again, we receive a new Man who still lives inside the old Flesh. Flesh does not change. It will always like things that are against God's word. We have to resist the flesh and put to death on the Cross each and everyday.

It is spiritual immaturity to put all our sins on Satan. Satan is not responsible for all our temptations. He can create an environment to tempt us, but he has no authority inside us to put anything inside us.

Dear Tuc,

Here is an opportunity to test your own words with the specific grammar of the text we believe is inspired.

Please look again at the Greek grammar used for "his own lusts" and you will see that James chose this very specific wording.

The question then is why have your own thoughts led you to an expression that is not supported by the New Testament. I appreciate your earnest desire to lead believers to experience Union Life in Christ.

However, I hope that you will see that by making statements like the one you have set forth, you have not worked out all the intricacies of your belief in a way that fully harmonizes with the writers of the New Testament.

By the way, neither have I, so I can appreciate those parts of what you share that are sound. Please be careful about statements like this that are not fully developed.

Mak

By the way, neither have I, so I can appreciate those parts of what you share that are sound. Please be careful about statements like this that are not fully developed.

Brother Alan Martin, what do you believe deception is? Or lie of Satan is? Do you think it will be completely against scripture or will it have some lie silently mixed with sound truth?

When we believe there is a small drop of poison in a very taste dish, we are not going to eat it. Same is a doctrine that has a small lie mixed with Sound scripture. Ignore it completely as a lie of Devil, instead of pick and choose using Scripture as light.

Many thing that Tuc writes here have some sound truth but in them are lies mixed that are clearly against scripture. There will be some addition to God's promises, which to an untrained mind will appear awesome. But the scripture says that any addition to God's word deserves to be cursed.

Dear Sree,

I understand your concern, but "error" can accomplish through sincere brothers as much as "lies" can do through insincere.

I share your concerns about errors that involve expressions that undermine believers' responsibility to consciously obey and abide. However, I count TUC a brother and seek to build upon what we agree on while we discuss the areas we understand differently.

Mak

I have always felt something "off" about what brother tuc is proclaiming. Perhaps not a red flag- but perhaps an orange one.

It's very hard to exactly state what the problem is. Sree has hit on at least part of it it.

It seems very pipe-dreamy to me. There are too many "dos and donts" in the NT to be ignored.

The bible writers clearly seem the idea that we have the power to obey or not obey. No one said it was easy- that's why there is much talk of suffering and cross bearing.

RE: ///Here is an opportunity to test your own words with the specific grammar of the text we believe is inspired.
Please look again at the Greek grammar used for "his own lusts" and you will see that James chose this very specific wording.///

I am not convinced that the James verse quoted negates Tucs logic.

RE: ".. we will suffer being tempted, just like Jesus.."

How was Jesus tempted ?

edit : remove quote to ask a question

When I first came into contact with the teaching that tuc has been sharing, I also was wary of it and thought it was too passive. It is the default setting of all humans to put the emphasis on "doing, action”. In fact, most people have a hard time believing in God’s free grace apart from our earning it. They feel much more comfortable in doing something good to point at for God to have a reason to be good to us. And even good Christians who do believe in the unconditional love of God that provides salvation often believe that it is their good works that causes God to continue to enjoy them.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to promote greasy grace that says it doesn’t matter how you live before God. But God is more interested in your motive for doing what you do than the doing itself. The Pharisees did some good works that seemed very commendable by the entire religious community. But they were trying to obtain "self-righteousness” almost as a way to keep God at bay and make themselves irreproachable which naturally led to pride and judgementalism of others who couldn’t measure up. The law of Moses was intended to cause Israel to despair of their sin and throw themselves at God’s mercy with extreme humility. The Pharisees, because they looked at the law as external acts apart from heart values and inner motives went in the exact opposite direction. Jesus’ harshest criticism was directed at the Pharisees and Scribes because of their lack of humility mostly.

What helped me see the truth of what I call the "inner life” or "surrendered life” is found in the difference between willfulness and willingness. The young Christian who has a besetting sin that is defeating him day-in and day-out vows to try harder and make a more dedicated resolution to not fail next time. This is willfulness that is not centered on the spirit but is the "arm of the flesh”, religious flesh to be sure but still "flesh”. This is precisely what you read about in Romans 7. Only after repeated failures even when trying with the utmost determination can God break such a soul of such willfulness. Think about it, if you could live a life totally pleasing to God just by sheer human willpower, you wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit.

But God gives grace to the humble soul who after painful failures turns to God with in meekness with a hungry heart for a righteousness that originates from one’s inner man. This is where godly willingness comes in. And the willingness I am talking about also carries with it a hunger, thirst and enthusiasm that the God who indwells me is able to transform me starting from the inside and working itself out into demonstrable works. And don’t misunderstand me here, I am not saying to wait for a "feeling” to overwhelm you. But it is critical to bow you head and in humility say to God, "I cannot live the Christian life but God, I am looking to you in faith to work through me your imparted righteousness as I willingly surrender myself to you.” And then when a testing, trial or temptation comes you way, say to God, "Lord, you are my patience, Lord, you are my purity, etc. In other words, "Lord you indwell me to be that holy resource within that will meet the challenge.” And if you are sincerely willing to allow God to work and you truly believe, you will see results. Major Ian Thomas and others have written extensively on depending on the Christ life within.

We as Christians do have a responsibility to be on the lookout for the stirrings of the flesh and reckon ourselves dead to it. And it is critical to see yourself in Christ as a saint (in the process of still having the mind renewed) instead of a wretched sinner by nature (even though it is true we still do sin). Putting on the new man and putting off the old man is very much our responsibility. Notice in Galatians Paul says, "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” I think too many Christians put the heavy emphasis on suppressing the flesh by means of fleshly effort and never get anywhere with that. I have found that when I see my identity as a new creature (in my spirit man, the real me) which is holy and wants to please God, the struggle with the flesh is less problematic. A person will only consistently behave in a manner that corresponds to how he sees himself to be. It is not impossible to act out of character to the way you see yourself but it is the exception and not the rule.

There is a divine balance in just how much of the Christian walk is God’s part and how much of it is our part. God is a work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. We need to cultivate an inner life with the indwelling Lord so that we remain humble, knowing that apart from Him we can do nothing (good). Also, we need to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness that originates from within from the Spirit for He satisfies and fills the hungry and thirsty with good things. And surely we need to believe in the power of the indwelling Christ to come to our aid as we look to Him for the power to live the Christian life knowing that we can’t (and are never expected to) do it all by ourselves. The Christian life is not a self-improvement program.

So I totally get how some of you who read these teachings about the "inner life”, "exchanged life”, etc. are thinking it is so passive because the primary focus is not on works per se but on the Christ life within that must be made room for and allowed to be expressed. It is not difficult but it is very nuanced. Almost all of Christ’s spiritual teaching was done with parables because it cannot be spoken about directly because the mind cannot comprehend the spirit directly. It is far easier to try to explain the Christian life as all about do’s and don’ts and willfulness because anything else seems like "do nothing-ism.” But if you don’t first focus on the origin of the what and the why you do what you do, you are pursuing self-righteousness and will probably get many pats on the back by your church brethren because it looks so good on the outside. Focus on getting the inside of the cup right and the outside (works) will take care of itself.

Amen TrueWitness! If you were to write a book I would buy it and read it.

Bear I agree with you. What I disagree with is the idea that we are powerless to avoid sinning. I see two sources of power to live a holy life- primarily the power of the HS in us, and MY power to choose to obey or quench the Holy Spirit.

I don't think we can simply lay back and float down the lazy river of grace. Sometimes we have to paddle a bit to avoid rocks and waterfalls.

TUC,

Please re-read my posts and see if I ever indicated deception is not involved. Of course temptation involves deception, but it is OUR OWN lusts that Satan exploits.

Mak

RE: ///but it is OUR OWN lusts that Satan exploits.///

Did Jesus have His own Lusts by which He was tempted ?

edit add : "The James verse does not so much tell us how temptation is born, but how it obtains its purpose (sin),.."

We have a fantastic opportunity here to dig into the Scripture and see what it says.

2 Corinthians 5:12-21

12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

What is great is that I am righteous. I am righteous because of what Jesus has done for me.

Look at Titus 3

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

I understand what TUC is saying. I have had the opportunity to discuss this with him. Here is saying nothing short of what we find in John 15

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. All our fruit is a result of being rooted in the vine.

Look at this promise regarding temptation:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God has promised a way of escape from EVERY temptation.

If we trust Him and follow after Him (walking in the Spirit), then we aren't going to sin. When we do sin, it is ALWAYS because we are not trusting for God to fulfill THIS promise and numerous others.

Bear I agree with you. What I disagree with is the idea that we are powerless to avoid sinning. I see two sources of power to live a holy life- primarily the power of the HS in us, and MY power to choose to obey or quench the Holy Spirit.

I agree completely with you. Lets keep Christianity practical. This is exactly my experience as well. We still have our own will we cannot deny it at all.

As a person who has received the baptism of Holy Spirit, I can testify that we receive power to obey Holy Spirit as well. Still it is possible to sin.

RE: ///but it is OUR OWN lusts that Satan exploits.///

Did Jesus have His own Lusts by which He was tempted ?

edit add : "The James verse does not so much tell us how temptation is born, but how it obtains its purpose (sin),.."

Bible only says that in Hebrews 4:15:-
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I just noticed that the phrase 'As WE Are' is not originally in the Bible. May be someone who has researched this in original script can shed light on it.

The scripture says Jesus was tempted as us, not that we are tempted like Jesus. Jesus came to earth in the likeness of our flesh(not in exact flesh like us). To understand whether Jesus had a flesh like us or not, we do not have enough evidence. When the scripture is silent, it means we need to believe in faith.

I believe that when the scripture says I have a sinful flesh in me that tempts me, James 1 and Romans 7 and Galatians 5. I also experience this flesh working in me always setting its desires against the Will of God, his Holy Spirit.

I believe that JEsus was sinless and prefect sacrifice.

I also believe that Jesus came in the likeness of me.

I also believe that Jesus was tempted like me in all things, else he cannot sympathize with me.

All these things are sound scripture. We do not need to look too deep into the flesh of Jesus to have faith in all these. Faith is to believe even without seeing.

I have tried it in the past to understand the Flesh of Jesus but it was not fruitful. I finally conquered to what the scripture says. We will get all the light we need on how Jesus's flesh was when we see him face to face, if we remain faithful till the end. Till then it is not at all wise to discuss on the unknown details.

No matter what answer I give you will not be convinced.

Learn to just accept and believe scripture. When it says each one is tempted by his own lusts, then it means we have lust.

RE: ///Learn to just accept and believe scripture. When it says each one is tempted by his own lusts, then it means we have lust. ///

If the Lord gives you a burden to do something (His desire) It would not be a contridiction to say that you have a desire or a burden to do that something.
Yes in one since it can be said to be your own desire but that is not to say that the desire originated from yourself.

add: Likewise to say that we have Lust does not negate that those Lust originated from the enemy, they become ours when we have excepted them as ours

Do you see how, the James verse does not negate Tucs logic ? Lets becareful with proof text

edit: clarity

Why do some wrestle with such simple truths as "our own desires?"
These bodies have not been redeemed and thus we have desires that "war in our members".

Christ in Paul led Paul to instruct those believers he wrote to - "to mortify your members upon the earth." Paul's words called for the believers to act NOT apartt from Christ in them but through His Christ within them. The call for believers to act is a call to CO-OPERATE. This is very similar to Israel being told to enter and possess the Promise Land. God would go before them just as Christ has gone before us and rendered the body of sin powerless. Nevertheless, the Israelites were to put the Giants to death as God handed them over into their hands.

Christ in Paul also said that we had "practices" that our "bodies" learned when we were in the flesh. Yes, the spirit at work in the sons of disobedience caused us to develop these "practices of the body", but now Christ in Paul instructed the Romans to "put these practices of the body to death BY THE SPIRIT." Again! We CO-OPERATE with the Spirit.

Christ in ALL of the New Testament writers called the believers to ACT using Aorist Middle Imperatives. All the commands (imperatives) regarding putting off the old man and putting on the new man are expressed in the MIDDLE VOICE, a grammatical means that emphasizes the subjects role in the action of the main verb.

Christ in Paul, Christ in Peter, Christ in James and in John, never hesitated to call for believer to act and work. We know this is never APART from Him, but always through and in Him. Nevertheless, our response is not only to be active, it is to be diligent.

Those who wrestle with Christ Jesus calling His disciples to become active, awake, repent, to pray and endure puzzle me.

Something is wrong when even the simplest expression such as "our own desire" that war within our members causes such a stir.

Mak

Well, similar topics have been debated with some frequency on this forum.

When it comes to doctrinal views, I believe that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". Right believing leads to right outcomes, and vice versa.

1. Is Christ and His resurrection life real to you?

2. Are you experiencing freedom from sin and lust daily?

3. Do you have testimonies which substantiate your doctrinal views (so that they aren't just fanciful theories)?

These questions we have to answer individually. There is no shame in being honest with God, because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Some years ago, when I finally admitted that my "Christian" life was not working... that was the beginning of my journey to truth and freedom in Christ. Life has been different since, very much happier.

add: Likewise to say that we have Lust does not negate that those Lust originated from the enemy, they become ours when we have excepted them as ours

Do you see how, the James verse does not negate Tucs logic ? Lets becareful with proof text

Wow, saying that the lust originated from enemy is an added word. You are adding something to what James has said. None of us have authority to add or remove anything from scripture.

Anyone can add to anything to any scripture and then say that there is nothing to negate in the scripture to prove that the addition is wrong.

If you understand the spirit behind the scripture you will never even try to argue against it. The spirit is simple, God does not tempt anyone, it is their own lust that tempts them. You do not call something that is put inside your house as your own property. If Satan has put the lust inside us then it is not our OWN, period.

Frankly to any Christian to believe that Satan has authority over them to put any lust inside them should scare them more than to say they already have lust inside them. Imagine if your enemy has access to open your house and put any harmful thing inside your house like an explosive, then it should scare you to hell. Rather than to believe that you have an explosive in your house but you have full power to control it. Our lusts are like that, though it is present inside us, the Holy Spirit can empower us to over power the lusts. But for this the new man should be strengthened. Else the lust can explode any day. That is why it is said that he who thinks he stand should take heed else he may fall anytime.

Do you think God will make us born again and give all authority to Satan to put anything inside us?

Even to Jesus Satan could only tempt him from outside. He had no authority to do anything inside him. That is why Jesus said clearly in John 13 - "Price of this world is coming but he has nothing in me".

If Satan has no control inside Jesus, then how can we believe that he has control to put lusts inside us? Can we also boldly resist him saying he has no hold inside me? I can but you cannot because you believe that Satan has access into you. Think hard in what you believe. Do not believe anything just plainly.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Why does Paul say this?

Brothers and Sisters,

TUC is simply saying that the activities we DO as Christians are a result of resting in Christ. Did you read the entire post? If I am seeking Jesus and putting my hope and trust in Him, whether temptation comes or not, then I am going to be doing the things that He leads me to do.

If temptation comes and I take my eyes off of Jesus, then of course I am going to sin. But if temptation comes and I look to Him and trust Him to do what He has already promised, then of course He is faithful! He will do what He promised.

I am not perfect. I am not sinless. But I can tell you this much, experientially, whenever I turn to Christ and cast myself upon Him, the enemy flees. When I don't, I fall.

Jesus Christ has already given us everything we need for life and godliness according to 2 Peter. I lack nothing.

"Spontaneously filled by us". - thank you TUC

This is what I understood you to be setting forth and this will allow me to open my heart about what I currently see as contradictions to this idea.

Perhaps you will have already dealt with and resolved these "apparent" contradictions in a way that will help me understand and accept much of the other wonderful aspects of what you share.

Please know that I present these questions as "apparent" contradictions because that is honestly how I wrestle with them in regards to the idea that all those in Christ will spontaneously fulfill all God's will.

Please consider these "apparent" contradictions and respond whenever you have time: thank you for your participation in these discussions.

Were the believers at Corinth spontaneously carnal and infantile?

Were the believers in Laodicea spontaneously lukewarm?

Were the believers in Hebrews 5 spontaneously in need of milk and much delayed in their spiritual development?

Did Hymanaaeus and Alexander spontaneously shipwreck their faith?

I could go on and on, but these examples serve the purpose to explain why I do not fully grasp what you seem to be saying about spontaneous life in Christ.

I trust you have worked through this is some way and it may help me to see how you have resolved these "apparent" contradictions to spontaneous life in Christ ensuring that God's will is going to be done spontaneously.

A point of clarity may be helpful here. I believe We agree that a healthy state of abiding in Christ will produce the spontaneous life He generates. My question is related to is that very state of healthy abiding a spontaneously generated state from new birth on, or are there steps and stages that must take place before that healthy state of abiding is well rooted and established?

If we agree on Christ's spontaneous life generation His righteousness once we are abiding, can that state of abiding be hindered or does it become reality spontaneously also?
Mak

RE: ///If Satan has no control inside Jesus, then how can we believe that he has control to put lusts inside us? Can we also boldly resist him saying he has no hold inside me? I can but you cannot because you believe that Satan has access into you. Think hard in what you believe. Do not believe anything just plainly.///

That was my understanding of the purpose of Tucs writings.

To encourage us to put on the shield of faith,wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

I find many of tucs writings an encouragement to me.

All of the Preachers that I am aware of on SI are in agreement with me that the devil is able to inject thoughts or feelings into us. Charles Spurgeon ,David Wilkerson ,Jim Cymbla Zac Poonen etc. They are honest with there own struggles and past struggles and because they are there writings and sermons are a great blessing and encouragement to me.

Let's look at the scriptures regarding this, brothers and sisters, so that we are not of our own opinion on the matter:

1 Chronicles 21:1-3 - Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.” And Joab answered, "May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?”

2 Samuel 24:1-3 - Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah.” So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, "Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people.” And Joab said to the king, "Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?”

Note: This has an interesting dynamic. The Lord was angry with Israel and He caused David to number the people in 2 Samuel 24, but 1 Chronicles 21 makes it clear that the agent used to incite David in this manner was Satan. Of course, God does not tempt anyone, because David already had this weakness within.

***

Job 2:1-10 - Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

***

Acts 5:1-4 - But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

***

Yes, very similarly to Job.

But either way, Satan was the one "pushing buttons" in David, in Job's Wife, in Ananias.

I definitely don't think that satan MADE these people sin. Also, God holds them responsible for their actions. From what I conclude based on these verses and the rest of the testimony of Scripture is that satan can indeed inject thoughts about things into people. But if that fiery dart does not hit it's target, then the believer comes away unscathed. If it hits it's target, then the believer falls.
That's why we have the shield of faith, to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one.

From personal experience, I have been tempted, albeit briefly, to do things that are not within areas in which I struggle. Satan fires a dart, I am looking to Jesus, it does not hit it's target. I don't fall.

A good example of the counter in my own life is this: I grew up in Deep East Texas. Most men here dip or chew. I didn't. I thought it was gross. However, when I was 23 (which was not that long ago), I had friends constantly telling me that I was grumpy all the time and that I was not pleasant to be around because of how aggressive my attitude was. I also noticed that the moods of my friends who dipped improved greatly when they dipped. Satan lobbed a dart, and because the desire was already within me to not be unpleasant, it hit its target and I took up dipping.

Then came all kinds of disciple from the Lord. It was miserable. By His grace, I overcame that (after several years).

So why did I sin? 1) My eyes were off of Jesus. 2) Satan fired a dart and filled my heart with evil ideas. 3) My own evil desires presented an easy target for the enemy.

Had my eyes been fixed upon Jesus and had I been walking in the Spirit, it would not have happened that way.