Lovest Thou Me?

Someone says “Can we live victoriously in this day and generation?” The answer to that is a resounding YES. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13). I would like to deal with two areas that are key to victory. Though there are other aspects of the Christian life that are needful, I believe these two are foundational. We desire above all the work of the Holy Spirit to convict, fill and empower us in this matter and any other truths that he imparts. (John 16:7-11, Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:16)

The first area is in the battle of our mind. Paul writes “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When Satan brings a thought into our mind, we need to resist him (James 4:7). “To resist the enemy on the ground of the blood of Christ, means wielding the weapon of the finished work of Christ, by faith: i.e., His death for sin, freeing the trusting believer from the guilt of sin; His death to sin on the cross and the believer’s death with Him, freeing the man from the power of sin, and His death victory on Calvary, freeing the believer from the power of Satan.” - from the book, War on the Saints by Jessie Penn-Lewis and Evan Roberts. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

The second area is in our submission to Christ. With Christ on the throne of our hearts we submit ourselves to the lordship of Christ and reckon ourselves dead unto sin. Let me explain. In Romans 6:11 we read “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”. When you are tempted think about the truth of this in your heart and mind and go through it with God. “God, when you were on this earth, you died as me on that cross and overcame this sin that I am being tempted of right now and every sin that I will ever be tempted with, and you were victorious (Hebrews 2:17,18, 4:15). I am crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) so I am dead in you, and now I resist this urge and desire through Jesus Christ.” Ask God to give you a hatred for sin. “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:24). Think about it, Jesus conquered every sin and overcame them, not just barely, but victoriously in power, glory and majesty; and is alive for evermore. When we die to self all that is left of us is Christ who has already won the victory. We then fight from victory and not for victory.

There are times when you have to run from the presence of sin like Joseph did. It would have not done Joseph any good if he stayed where he was and tried to resist the temptation when it was necessary for him to leave (Proverbs 22:3). “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24,25)

As God gives you the victory in pulling down of strong holds, (1) Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 1:4-8, 3:18). “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6). (2) Walk in humility and fear knowing that “But by the grace of God I am what I am:” (1 Corinthians 15:10). “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12). “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).