“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” Romans 8:12 NLT
Now our sinful nature is not the devil. Our nature (aka ‘flesh’) has the capacity to influence our decisions based on what we ‘want’. Oftentimes our spirits and hearts already know what ought to entail, but we find ourselves losing focus. And, like Adam and Eve, when we are obliged to live WITH the consequences of our actions and decisions; we often find it easier to place the blame elsewhere. Hmm hm. One songwriter says, ‘blame it on the rain that was finally falling’
So if our flesh can only influence our decisions, and we have no obligation to obey the flesh; what are our options? For one, we could seek an accountability partner. Someone who is unlikely to encourage our habits/desires, and will pray with and for us as we struggle past our sin nature. Someone who understands the difference between empowering and enabling. (Empowering get me past the hurdle; enabling keeps me stuck at the hurdle). Someone who we trust and would not condemn us for yielding; but gently and firmly leads us back into God’s Purpose.
And more than that; we must be attuned to God. For God’s desire is that we overcome temptation, whether from within us or without. So great is God’s desire that God provided us with an ‘out’ in Jesus who took on our sin; and gives us a reset button. And God’s also breathed God’s own Spirit into us so we have the strength to overcome.
Yes, our flesh will try to lead us. Yes, those desires may seem to be the best option for us. But greater still is the fact that: Yes, we can overcome through God’s Spirit if we ask.
