Genesis 3:6–12 describes how sin entered the world. The Bible teaches that Adam’s sin was passed down to all humanity (Romans 5:12). With God’s help, though, believers can successfully respond to sin. In Genesis 4:7, God told Cain to “rule over” sin, and though Cain did not, God’s admonition shows that it is possible (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 6:6). God’s provisions for us indicate that we do not need to be at the mercy of our sinful desires. Those who accept Jesus as Lord receive the Holy Spirit, which helps us to resist sin (John 15:26; Galatians 5:16). God has also provided us with the means to grow stronger in our faith through His word (Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Ephesians 6:17). The Bible teaches that resisting Satan is enough to overcome his influence (James 4:7; 1 John 4:4). Scripture also encourages believers with the knowledge that God will not allow us to experience temptation we cannot handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Besides such encouraging passages, believers are also assured that when we do succumb to sin, we can repent and come back to the Lord because of Jesus’s sacrifice (Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9). Sin is part of our fallen human nature, but Christ has made it possible for us to defeat the sin in our lives and to live in relationship with God.
Nothing is conceived with as much hope yet concluded with as much disappointment as New Year’s resolutions. No matter how much kale you stock up and how shiny the new gym card looks on your keychain, preparing doesn’t always equal succeeding. No doubt about it, declaring a "new you” is a lot easier than realizing it. Have you felt that way about sin in your life? Maybe despite all your efforts to “be a good person,” you just keep failing. If so, the mistake may be thinking your efforts are enough. All of us are inherently sinful, so our own efforts aren’t enough to defeat sin; even the apostle Paul struggled (Romans 7:21–8:2). But believers have a Helper in the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). We can pray to the Lord for strength and use the means He has provided to strengthen us—meditating on His Word, prayer, wisdom, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and fellowshipping with other believers. All of these things and more help us to resist sin. And when, not if, we sin, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can repent, ask for forgiveness, and be acceptable before the Lord. The battle against sin is real. Sin is part of our fallen human nature, but Christ has made it possible for us to defeat the sin in our lives and live in relationship with God.