It is rare, but sometimes we come across someone who claims he is living in total victory or even that he has not sinned for some years! If it is a leader, people dare not question him, thinking that he must be living such a high standard of life which they have not reached. But those who know such people closely can see how such claims are not true. Those who do not know much of the Bible may stand in awe of them remembering their own poor state. But perhaps some innocent one may blurt out that "the king has no clothes!"
Let us not live in an imaginary bubble made up of our own special doctrines which do not match with reality. For example, if our doctrine tells us that victory is a level we reach after which we cannot fall in that area, we then have to give some false explanation when we do fall after we have claimed we have victory! Or we redefine sin! But victory refers to overcoming when we are tempted (Ja.1:14,15). If we have learnt how to have victory in a particular temptation, that doesn't mean we can't be tempted there again or that we can't fall again. The Bible warns us, if we think we are 'able to stand' in any area, to take care to ourselves lest we fall (1Co.10:12). Can't we fall? We will fall if we take victory for granted and become less watchful and careless (Mt.26:41). And who can claim that he has become so 'perfect' that there is no more possibility of becoming careless even for a moment?
The apostle Paul did not claim that kind of a victory. He took special care of himself because he was aware that he was quite capable of falling, even after coming into the kind of life and understanding God had given him (1Co.9:27). He was so aware of the depth of sinfulness in his fallen nature that he knew that except for the grace of God he had no chance of victory (Ro.7:24,25).
There are some who teach that Rom.7 is a description of Paul's life before he was converted or before he was baptised in the Holy Spirit, and that Rom.8 is the description of a Spirit-filled victorious Christian. But doesn't this Spirit-filled life also face frequent challenges? Remember, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Of course, He did not sin. But can we say that since we have the Holy Spirit we will not face temptations or that we will not fall? Paul testifies of facing unrest, having fears within and even being depressed (2Co.7:5,6). It is also recorded how he once lost control when he was struck on the mouth (Ac.23:2,3).
I am not advocating or justifying defeat. As we learn to be faithful over time, we do experience more and more victory. But we need to be aware of the possibility that we can fall if we don't take pains to overcome. We are warned of the Devil looking for a chance to devour us if only he could catch us off guard (1Pe.5:8). If we see how deep sin lies within us, let us walk in fear lest we fall. Let us also walk in humility without twisting doctrines, trying to impress others.