James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man. 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.
The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us.
Confession of sin includes taking full responsibility for our actions, and whenever this is done, God can, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we ask in faith, believing and cooperating with the work of His Holy Spirit in our hearts. But if we offer up excuses, valid or invalid, we take the ball out of our own court and make others or circumstance the reason for our failures.
Again, an integral aspect of overcoming is self-denial by which persons will be pitted against their own selves as latent tendencies, and dormant propensities will strive for the mastery. Neither is there any easy way to overcome. It takes time for us to indulge and it will take time and well-directed efforts to reverse many years of such indulgence.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!