Living a Victorious Christian Life, Romans 12:1-2, Judges 16: 28-31

Judges 16:28-31, Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

This is the pathetic end of one of the Bible's larger-than-life characters! Samson was a real life superhero! God gave him all the tools he needed to deliver and lead Israel, but this is where we find him—Captured, blinded, mocked, and willing to trade his life for a small measure of revenge.
What happened? What went so wrong? How could a man with so much potential fail so spectacularly? And closer to home, if this guy can't succeed, how in the world can we?! No angels announced our births. We received no supernatural abilities. So how can normal folks like us have any hope of spiritual victory?
Well, that’s where Romans 12 comes into play. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
(Make no mistake, the theme of Romans 12 is woven throughout the Old Testament. Samson had no excuse for his behavior) Romans 12:2 lays out the pattern for successful Christian living. You don't need super strength to be a victorious Believer, just faith and obedience to God's Word.
As much as we hate to admit it, many times our lives resemble Samson's. Of course, most of us have never slaughtered Philistines or ripped city gates out of the ground, but the self-centeredness and pride that Samson displayed, we can get that way too.
For the next few minutes, let's compare and contrast the victorious believer with the life of Samson and in doing so, make some personal applications.