“I would like to become a Christian,” an interested woman said to a visiting pastor, “but I’m afraid I can’t hold out. I’m sure to sin again!”

Turning to 1 John 1, the pastor said, “No doubt you will sin again, because God says, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us’ (v. 8). But if you do sin, God will forgive you if you will confess your sin to Him. But it isn’t necessary for Christians to sin. As we walk in fellowship with God and in obedience to His Word, He gives us ability to resist and to have victory over temptation.”

Then the pastor remembered that the woman had gone through surgery some months before.
“When you had your surgery,” he asked, “was there a possibility of complications or problems afterward?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied. “But whenever I had a problem, I went to see the doctor and he took care of it.”
Then the truth hit her. “I see it!” she exclaimed. “Christ is always available to keep me out of sin or to forgive my sin!”
The life that is real is a life of victory.

The Bible says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Also consider: Proverbs 4:14-15; James 1:12-16; 4:7-8; 1 John 1:7; 2:3.

Action assignment: Identify one or more areas in your life in which you continually fall into sin. Recognize God’s ability to help you overcome temptation, and ask Him to enable you to keep these areas of your life pure.