"For I know that good itself does dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:18 NIV)
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." (Galatians 5:16, 17 NIV)
"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:14 NIV)
But when we "surrender" to God, we rely on His power and strength - not ours. And with God, nothing is impossible (Mark 10:27, Matthew 19:26, Luke 18:27). But often times, that seemingly so simple act of surrender happens not once but daily.
Daily ... we deny ourselves.
Daily ... we carry our crosses.
Daily ... we cry out to God for help.
Daily ... we do not willingly commit that sin.
Surrender is not a one-time event. It is a lifetime process. It is a daily process.
Granted the lure of this world can be satisfying for the moment. And it does, by all means, satisfy our flesh and we feel good as a result. And that is why we commit the sin. But such satisfaction is temporary, and such lust has no eternal value.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing." (John 6:63a NIV)
"But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10 NIV)
Overcoming the grips of sin is not easy. It's nothing short of a miracle. It requires a minute-by-minute or second-by-second decision to engage or not engage.
But the truth is ... Jesus has the answer. He IS the answer. And He has won the victory for us.
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV)
Sin leads only to death. So choose life. Choose HIM.
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20b NIV)
We can overcome our sin that so entangles us. But only with Him. And it requires the daily practice of surrender.
1 comment:
To surrender to Him - more than say "no", but to love Him so much that the things of this world seem as worthless as they really are! What other hope do we have against the sickness in our hearts? Thank you for sharing this!
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