“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17)
The pleasures of those seasons of sin and that final blessed moment when sin will no longer be a part of our lives, these thoughts can consume a man. But in all truthfulness, that final release from our old nature only hounds us, consumes our thoughts, within those seasons of the pleasures of sin.
If it were otherwise, we would be grieving constantly, shame would be the only part of the path that we would walk. Dejected, depressed, despondent, a continual feeling of uselessness would encapsulate us, and at best, our witness to others would be feigned, for we would never see ourselves as worthy to even speak of Him whom we serve.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1st Cor. 16:13)
The seasons of those pleasures of the flesh are part of the battle, in their own right, one of the fiercest areas of our Spiritual warfare. Nearly everyone who has been born again sees the armor we wear as a defense against our adversary, the sword of the Spirit as an offensive weapon against the wiles of the devil, few will place a mirror in front of themselves and see the most aggressive enemy they will ever face.
Instead, we attempt to deny that such sinful thoughts could enter into our minds, we pretend that devils are influencing our imaginations, that we are not to blame for those sinful desires. We attempt to deny these could be from us, or at times, doubt the assurance of our salvation, for no one who is hid in Christ could ever conceive of such sinful thoughts of the imaginations of our minds.
Realizing there is a battle is the first step of enjoining in the battle.
“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:25)
I offer you this truth, remember it, it is not in the sincerity of your heart that you seek those seasons of the pleasures of sin, but it is still you that is doing so. And I offer you these words of encouragement as well, it is called a season for a reason.
You can, and should, pray fervently that whatever that sinful desire is that your Father in heaven would keep it from becoming available to you outside of your thoughts, but the imaginations of your mind, the old nature within you, may remain until you are finally released by death. If you can accept these truths, then you can begin to understand the incredible blessing of the last part of Philippians 1:21, “and to die is gain.”
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1st John 1:8)
Part of the battle is to come to the realization that those seasons of sin are just what is said, seasons return, and we must not only strive against ourselves when they do, but prepare our hearts for their return. Can you comprehend the truth of and the reason for 1st Thessalonians 5:17 now?
“Pray without ceasing.”
We struggle against the pleasures of the flesh, we always will until we are glorified, receive this truth. But take consolation in this as well, though do not use it as an excuse, most of them will remain in our imaginations.
In those seasons the battle can grow wearisome, continue to stand, have faith in God. Rely on His strength, trust in His mercy.
