If You're Struggling . . . (A Soldiers Guide)

Man, sometimes in our struggle with sin we sometimes assign a type of sovereignty to sin. As we fall and fail over and over again we begin to see spiritual conflict as God trying to combat this all-powerful sin that ruined His original plans and holds control over us. I cannot encourage you to drop this mentality fast enough! We are given a promise of absolute victory! Christ is not conquering. He is not defeating. He CONQUERED! He DEFEATED!

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Jude 24-25

This passage from Jude really captivated me when I read it. As I fall to sin, I have become increasingly discouraged. After you fight and fight and yet still fall we tend to want to give up. Spiritually these defeats are hard to deal with. Don't give into this way of thinking! Christ IS ABLE to keep us from stumbling! His grace is sufficient. His forgiveness big enough. His strength enough. His victory total! However, ONLY Christ can do this. We cannot even begin to get up off our rear-end in battle except for the strength and protection He provides. He is the one and the way by which we can stand faultless in the presence of eternal glory and absolute holiness. Therefore, if you, like me, are struggling against the lure of the flesh, the world, and/or the devil cling to the One who is able to keep you from falling. Draw on His strength. Use His armor. 

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

 Romans 13:14

Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

James 4:7-10 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 James 1:2,12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Ephesians 6:10-13

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 

Romans 6:12-14