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In Romans, the Apostle Paul reminds us how we are powerless against sin and sinful responses. The non Christian is unable to keep any of God’s commandments fully. The extent of God’s abhorrence of sin is seen by the sufferings and death of Jesus so that people might be pardoned and justified. God sent Jesus so that He could break the bondage to sin in us. Christians are set free to say no to sin and to obey God’s Word. If that is so, what then is hindering us from being able to experience victory over sin in our daily walk of faith?

Paul writes: “there is now no condemnation”. Is it possible to feel guilty, slide into self-condemnation and yet remain unrepentant? When a person feels guilty and frets over a sinful thought or act, but does nothing about recurring sinful thoughts, unforgiveness, outbursts of anger and deception, that person has not changed. God’s Word, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. The decisions we make each day can be classified into two basic groups. One focuses on “Self”: how others should treat me and how things should revolve around me. Another focuses on “The Holy Spirit”: walking according to the Spirit. To obey teachings of the Bible is the standard for the way we are to live, worship and serve God. We must continually acknowledge our need to totally and unconditionally rely on God the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and temptations in our lives.

Paul struggled to overcome his tendency to sin. In his moments of frustration, he could only think of one thing: call on God to deliver him from the flesh which held that sin! That is exactly the answer for us to have victory over self and sin. Which is more predominant in our thoughts: “Self” or “The Holy Spirit”? Which occupies our minds more – our reactions, inclinations, intentions, according to the sinful nature, or having a prayerful attitude that is dependent on God’s empowerment to live a life of victory in Christ? When we believe in Jesus Christ, we have received not just a new Spirit, but the Spirit of sonship. Thus, just like a person’s genes are passed on to the next generation, more so, as God’s children we are to reflect God-likeness. The old adage goes: “Like father, like son”. Christians belong to God’s family and we are to portray our Father’s likeness.