Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
There is a great little story I remember that speaks into conquering sin in our lives: There was this young boy who was struggling with a variety of temptations and so the parents invited the pastor to come and speak with him. After the young boy shared with the pastor some of the devil’s temptations, the pastor responded, “The next time the devil comes knocking, just ask Jesus to get the door.”
Here is what we need to remember when it comes to sin. Yes, sin still remains in the life of the child of God. Just read through Romans chapter seven if there is any doubt about sin in the life of the believer after salvation. But sin no longer reigns in that life. The power of sin was broken on the cross when Jesus paid the penalty for our sins . . . all our sins. But that’s not all. The power of death was conquered on that first Easter morning when Jesus walked out of the grave. Before Jesus showed up, all we could ever do was sin. But after Jesus raises us from death to life and gives us the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we have to ability, for the very first time, not to sin. Here is how Paul puts this powerful truth.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Here are a few truths to encourage you from this passage: everyone is tempted and temptation is not a sin. Never feel like you have been singled-out when wrong desires rear their ugly heads; because others have resisted temptation, you too can resist temptation – we all have the same Spirit and the same power to fight against the slings and arrows of the devil; God always makes a way out for all of us, if we are willing to walk in it.
So, is there any particular struggle you are facing in your life right now? Something in your personal life . . . professional life . . . family life? Just remember, when the devil comes knocking with his many temptations, just ask Jesus to get the door and I promise you, He will make sure that particular temptation will not overtake you. Let me close with a word of caution for all of us: we should never try and answer the door ourselves. None of us are strong enough. We simply need to ask Jesus to answer the door of temptation, and we shall receive our deliverance.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 