With God on our side

“I just can’t seem to overcome this sin.  No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to gain victory over it.”

Have you ever felt like that?  I know there are sins in my life that I struggle with.  And it can get discouraging.  Satan loves to throw potshots at us when we fall.

“What kind of Christian are you?  You’re no good.  Every other Christian has victory in this area.  Only you struggle with this.  This sin is too strong in your life.  You’ll never be able to overcome it.”

That’s the kind of thing the enemy was saying to David and his army as they stood outside the walls of Jerusalem. 

The Jebusites were living there at the time, and they mocked David saying,

You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.  (2 Samuel 5:6)

As they said this,  the Jebusites thought to themselves,

David cannot get in here.  (2 Samuel 5:6)

In the same way, when Satan gets a foothold in our lives, he thinks to himself, “I’ve got him.  I’ve got her.  They’ll never get rid of this sin.” 

And he starts to mock us.

But what did David do?  He strategized.  He told his army,

Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies. (2 Samuel 5:8)

And with Joab’s help, they were able to overcome the Jebusites. (1 Chronicles 11:6)

But it wasn’t the strategy and Joab’s help alone that gave David the victory.  It says later,

And [David] became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. (2 Samuel 5:10)

In other words, the real reason for victory in David’s life was that God was with him. 

Yes, he needed his strategy.  Yes, he needed others’ help. 

But ultimately, it was because God was with him and was helping him that David gained the victory.

It’s the same with us.  When we’re  struggling with sin, we need to use strategy. 

If you’re struggling with lust, for example, perhaps part of your strategy will be avoiding places of temptation, even if it’s your local video store.

We also need others’ help.  They can give us advice, pray for us when we struggle, and keep us accountable.

But ultimately, it’s because God’s on our side that we can gain victory.  It’s not by our own strength and efforts alone.  It’s God’s Holy Spirit working within us, “to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  (Philippians 2:13).

Are you struggling with sin?  Are you feeling discouraged? 

Remember that God’s on your side.  Use strategy to fight sin.  Ask people for help. 

But also remember that it’s only by God’s grace and help that we can ultimately overcome.