For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
-Romans 6:6-7

So many times we get caught up in this idea that we live in a sinful and fallen world and sin is inevitable, and we use it as an excuse to keep on sinning.  But that is not what God’s word tells us!  Yes, we were born in a sinful world.  Yes, we’re born with a sinful nature.  But our old self has been CRUCIFIED!  We are no longer slaves to sin.  That old life is dead, and we are free!  If we stop looking around and instead look within to the Spirit living in us, we can overcome.  We don’t have to live a life characterized by sin.  We don’t have to be captive anymore.  We don’t have to feel weighed down and dejected.  We don’t have to live in our failures and shortcomings.  As the song goes, “my chains are gone, I’ve been set free…”  Live in the freedom, friends.  Embrace the victory.  We can overcome.