Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling… Jude 24
God is able to give you victory over the power of temptation. Do you believe this?
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)
What temptation do you think Jesus is not able to deliver you from? This goes to the heart of whether we believe the gospel. Some of us simply do not believe that Christ can break the power of canceled sin and set the prisoner free.
Think about a boxing title fight. There is always a great deal of “trash talk,” and nobody was better at this than Muhammad Ali, who said about himself, “I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Imagine his challenger saying, “He is much bigger and faster than me. He punches harder. And, besides, he’s the champ. I don’t really have a chance.”
This is how some of us talk when it comes to sin. It’s the language of unbelief. You need to make up your mind if you believe in the God who is able to keep you from falling. Many people believe that Jesus can forgive their sins, but they’re not convinced that He can give them victory over temptation.
We sometimes say, “You can talk the talk, but you have to walk the walk.” That’s true, but here is a new spin: “If you want to walk the walk, you have to talk the talk.” Don’t talk defeat before you even get in the ring. Sin shall no longer be your master. The Spirit of God lives in you. God has put you in a position to fight, so use the power He’s given you. Fight!
Are you fighting your sin? Or are you trying to walk the walk without talking the talk?
