In Jude 24 we read, “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” These words are crystal-clear; God alone is the One who can keep us from falling into sin. He has given us every resource we need to keep us from sinning. Let’s take a look at some of His resources.

  1. The DIVINE NATURE. In 2nd Peter 1:3 states, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” and then in verse 4 it says, “that through these you may be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” The “divine nature” that is imparted to the believer in Christ is “holy.” This is borne out in 1st John 3:9, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him” (NASB). This begs the question “Is my reader born again?” If not, you must first be born again or God’s resources won’t be available to you. If you are not born again, please read earnestly and prayerfully John 3:1-16.
  2. The HOLY SPIRIT. In Galatians 3:16 we read, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” The Person of the Holy Spirit has been given to every believer the moment they believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9). If you yield to His control, He will keep your “old nature” (called “the flesh”) in check. He will do this by occupying you with the new life you have in Christ, as we see in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
  3. The WORD OF GOD. The Psalmist David said in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” As we read and mediate upon the Holy Scriptures (and hide them in our hearts!), they will keep us from sinning. They will “set us apart” (which is what the word “sanctify” means) from this evil world and all of its sinful attractions.
  4. PRAYER. In Hebrews 4:16 we are exhorted to pray. It says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” When we are tempted to sin, we need to approach God’s “throne of grace” in true dependence, realizing that He is able to give us “mercy and grace to help in time of need.” He will surely give us the power “not to fall into sin.” Let’s turn to the words of David again and listen to his prayer for holiness, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (KJV).
  5. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS. Hebrews 10:24-25 reads, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Believers need each other! We need to encourage one another to love one another and to maintain good works, and if we do, WE WON’T BE SINNING.
  6. CHRIST IN THE GLORY. In Colossians 3:1-2 we are told, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” God has given us Christ to be the OBJECT OF OUR HEARTS, and if our heart is set on Him, He will keep us from falling into sin. This would include having our hearts waiting for His soon return, for if we are looking for His coming, it will have a “purifying effect” in our lives. 1st John 3:3 bears this out, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (278.7) (DO)