In the next few days, we will be discovering various aspects of life in which we are victorious in Christ. Today, we will start with victory over the ultimate enemy that Jesus conquered on the cross : death.
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
– James 1:13-15
As James illustrates in his letter, death is the final outcome of a series of events, starting from evil desires, opening the door to temptation, leading to sin and ultimately, death. Having victory over death in Jesus, means having victory over what leads to it i.e. temptation and sin. Whenever we are tempted, we are deceived into thinking that sin is just a simple pleasure of life, it is hurting nobody, there is no consequence to it, no one even knows about it. Let us not be seduced, for all temptations of sin are from satan (1 Thessalonians 3:5), and his goal is one: to destroy our lives through sin (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10).
As James explains, temptation does not come from God but starts from our own evil desires, from within our hearts. The Bible says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 3:23). But if we are being honest with ourselves, we fail at guarding our hearts. Corruption finds a way to creep in, opening the door to temptation and sin. Thanks be to God, who gives us victory in Christ! Today, as you meditate on the passage below, receive God’s forgiveness, let Him cleanse and purify you, and most importantly, let Him put His new heart and spirit in you, through which you have the assurance of victory over temptation and sin!
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
– Ezekiel 36: 25-27
Let’s pray:
Father, thank You for the victory over temptation and sin that You have given me through the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son on the cross of calvary. Help me to always be alert and keep watch in prayer, so that I would not fall for the deceitful words of the tempter. Let my heart become like a fortified city, surrounded by Your word. Help me to always seek Your face through thanksgiving, praise, prayer and reading of the Scriptures everyday. Give me a humble heart that accepts Your correction. I ask for the desire to overcome every ongoing sin in my life and be set free in Your name, Jesus. I claim victory through the cross and Your Holy name now, Amen.
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