Are We Really as Strong as We Think?

Have you ever wondered why so many Christian leaders fall? How can someone who seemed so spiritually strong end up committing serious sins? I suppose there are many reasons, but I suspect one common denominator is this: they trusted themselves too much.

My purpose is not to attack anyone who may have been disgraced. I bring this up because we all face the same dangers, and unless we’re careful, we can all fall, though not as publicly.

The problem begins when we believe we’re stronger than we really are. Maybe others praise our spirituality, or we experience victories in our battle against sin. Before long, we start overestimating our ability to resist temptation. If we don’t come to our senses, we start taking greater risks, putting ourselves in unwise situations. After all, we can handle it. We’re strong!

That’s exactly what the devil wants us to believe. He knows that the more we trust in our own strength, the more vulnerable we become and the more likely we are to fall.

This process doesn’t apply only to major transgressions like adultery or financial corruption. It applies to the more mundane aspects of life, too. For example, I was recently confronted with my own lack of strength. I had gone to visit my mother, who is not doing well. You would think that, given the circumstances, I would be patient and kind at all times, right? I wish I could say I was, but I would be lying.

Frustrated with myself, I realized the root of my problem. I had misjudged my goodness and my ability to be patient, so I hadn’t asked God for the patience and compassion I needed. The next day with Mom went much better. The difference? I stopped trusting myself and prayed fervently for patience and compassion.

So what’s the solution? It starts with never overestimating our strength, regardless of the size of the temptation we face. Only when we have an accurate view of our abilities and their limits are we driven to seek God’s help. We should never rely on our own ability to fight sin. Instead, let’s never lose sight of our dependence on God in every situation.

The Apostle Paul summarized it best. After reminding the church members in Corinth about how the Israelites had fallen into sin while in the desert, he gave this warning about temptation: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” ⁽¹⁾

Let’s heed Paul’s warning. We’re only fooling ourselves if we rely on our own resolve rather than on God for the strength to resist temptation.

⁽¹⁾ 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)