So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2
What do we do when temptations arise?
Liam had made the decision to follow Jesus a year ago. But one night after a bad day at work, he fell right back into an old habit he thought he’d left behind. “I felt so ashamed—am I really even changed at all?” he wondered.
Maybe you’ve felt that way—stuck in the gap between who you want to be and who you still sometimes are. Even Paul, one of Jesus’ wisest followers, wrestled with this tension. He admitted: “I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t.” (Romans 7:19) When you belong to Jesus, you are made into a new person. But old patterns can still pull at your new heart.
So how do you keep going without giving up?
First, you need to stay connected to the source of your strength. When we take time to read God’s Word, He speaks to us, and we gain a fresh awareness of His Spirit in us. When we stumble—and we will—Scripture assures us that, “ … there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus … because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2).
Second, you need to pay attention to who you’re walking with. Some voices will pull you toward life. Others will pull you backward. You can’t hold onto freedom with one hand and your chains with the other.
You are not fighting alone. And you’re not condemned. In Jesus, victory and renewal is already underway. Remember who you belong to, and keep walking toward Him.
