There's something about loving someone that makes you more mindful of how you treat them.

When you genuinely love someone, you don't want to be the reason they're hurting. You care about their feelings, you consider how your decisions would affect them, and sometimes you willingly give up things you enjoy because you know they wouldn't be good for your relationship.

You do all of that because that person matters to you.

Now, I want you to think about your relationship with Jesus.

We tell Him we love Him. We sing songs about how much He means to us. We thank Him for dying for our sins and for the grace He continues to show us.

But what about those moments when what we want conflicts with what we know pleases Him?

In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

It's a simple statement, but there's a lot for us to think about.

Sometimes, when we're faced with temptation, we try to look for reasons to justify what we want to do rather than considering whether it's pleasing to God.

We tell ourselves, It's not that serious. Everyone does it. God knows my heart. And yes, God knows our hearts. He knows our weaknesses, our struggles, and the things we find difficult to overcome. But He also knows when we're making excuses for something we have no intention of giving up.

Think about it. If someone repeatedly did something they knew was hurting you, but every time you brought it up, they found a reason to justify their actions, how would that make you feel? Especially if that same person kept telling you how much they loved you.

Wouldn't it make you wonder if their love was genuine?

Now, think about what Jesus said in John 14:15. If we truly love Him, shouldn't that love make a difference in how we live?

Shouldn't it influence the choices we make, even when that means saying no to something we really want? Shouldn't pleasing Him matter more to us than satisfying a desire we know goes against His Word?

Now, I know there's someone reading this who genuinely loves Jesus but is struggling with a particular sin.

You've prayed about it more times than you can remember. You've promised yourself you wouldn't go back to it. And perhaps you've managed to stay away for a while, only to find yourself struggling again.

I don't want you to read this and conclude that your struggle means you don't love Jesus.

Even Paul described the painful conflict between wanting to do what is right and finding himself doing what he hated. In Romans 7:19, he wrote, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing.”

Perhaps you've experienced that same struggle yourself. But there's something important we need to understand. There's a difference between struggling against something you know is wrong and gradually becoming comfortable with it because you've convinced yourself that changing is too difficult.

One person falls and is grieved by what they've done. They confess, seek God's help, and keep trying to walk in obedience. Another starts making excuses, repeatedly justifying what they know is wrong and they see no reason to change.

Both may say they love Jesus, but while one is willing to confront what displeases Him, the other has become comfortable making excuses for it.

And perhaps that's something we should all examine in our own lives today. Are we genuinely trying to overcome the things we know are wrong, or have we become so used to them that we've stopped trying?

If there's something you're struggling with, take an honest look at what keeps drawing you back.

Maybe there are things you need to stop watching, situations you need to avoid, or habits you've been unwilling to change. Perhaps you need to speak to someone you trust who can pray with you and help you stay accountable.

And don't forget that overcoming sin isn't something we're expected to accomplish through willpower alone. Titus 2:11–12 reminds us that God's grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright lives.

Grace doesn't mean sin no longer matters. It's part of how God helps us turn away from it.

So when you fall, don't let shame keep you from praying. Come to Jesus honestly. Confess what you've done, receive His forgiveness, and ask Him to help you make the changes you need to make.

And when you're faced with that temptation again, remember that your decision isn't just about whether you can resist it this time. It's also about how much you love Jesus and whether you're willing to walk away from something you want because of that love.

I want to leave you with something to think about.

When was the last time your love for Jesus made you say no to something you really wanted to do?

Perhaps it was choosing not to say something hurtful when you were angry, walking away from a temptation you would normally give in to, or letting go of a habit you've enjoyed for years.

These decisions may seem small, especially when nobody else knows about them. But they matter because they show that your relationship with Jesus is influencing the way you live.

And please remember, this isn't about proving how much you love Jesus by never making a mistake again. It's about allowing your love for Him to influence what you do, how you respond when you fall, and the changes you're willing to make.

So if you're struggling with something today, don't give up or convince yourself that you'll never change. Be honest with Jesus about it. Ask Him for help, and be willing to take the steps that will help you walk away from it.

After all, if we truly love Him, shouldn't that love make a difference in how we live?

✝ Kingdom Mantra