For as important as physical training is in the life of an athlete, there is no denying that an athlete’s mindset also plays a crucial role in their success or failure.

Some athletes have had their careers entirely derailed because they lost confidence in their ability to perform the task at hand. Rather than believing that they would be able to succeed during competition, they had embraced a negative mindset that adversely affected their actual performance.

In a similar manner, most of us can probably relate to having a feeling of supreme confidence during competition, and how a healthy mindset helped us to perform better when it counted most.

As followers of Jesus, we also need to develop a “winning mindset” when it comes to the way that we think about our battle against sin.

Even after being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we, as believers, are still capable of sinning because we continually live in our fallen flesh.

But thankfully, Scripture also tells us we shouldn’t live in despair, anticipating we’ll never be able to have victory over sin on this side of eternity.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is sufficient not only to free us from the penalty of sin but from the power of sin, as well.

In Romans 6:6 (NLT), the Apostle Paul writes, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”

Though we, as followers of Jesus, are entirely capable of sinning, if we’re walking according to the Spirit instead of the flesh, we’re no longer under the power and control of sin in our lives.

For that reason, Paul goes on to say in Romans 6:11 (NLT), “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”

Just as having a winning mindset can help a football team find success on the gridiron, having a winning mindset in our battle against sin can help us see better results as we fight against temptation.

This doesn’t mean we become arrogant or prideful in thinking that we’ll never sin again. But it does mean that we have a healthy confidence in the fact that God has given us everything we need to resist the temptations we face. It’s no longer inevitable that we must fall into sin in any given situation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Today, let’s truly believe that God has set us free from the power of sin. Let’s believe He’s made a way for us to overcome temptation and to live a righteous life that’s pleasing in His sight.

Reflect: How have you noticed a correlation between your mindset with the battle against sin and the level of obedience you have in your life? How do you think you can maintain a healthy balance of believing that God will help you overcome temptation, while not being arrogant in thinking you will never sin again?

A prayer to consider: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to take care of both the penalty and power of sin. Please help me believe that You’re willing to help me overcome the temptations I face so I might honor You. Thank you for the forgiveness You give when I do sin. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.