No one is perfect, all of us are sinners, Christians are no exceptions. We are helpless, fall into sins, in need of a savior. When we accepted Jesus in our lives as our Lord and Savior, a promise of eternal life is given to us, but it does not guarantee that our lives on Earth will be a struggle-free life. We might keep on failing despite the fact of being sincere to change. As a result, we tend to focus on the must-do’s to overcome our struggles and in some situations, we might get discouraged because we aren’t able to overcome.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion [strong devotion] and asceticism [pious self-denial] and severity to the body [severe bodily discipline], but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. - Colossians 2:20-23 ESV (emphasis added to show NLT translation) Regulations, rules, self-help materials, pious self-denial and severe bodily discipline are of no value in conquering our evil desires. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t say that these are not necessary but the moment we put focus on these things as our main remedy, these might just give us temporary relief but not everlasting.
So what should we do then?
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
Set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. SEEK JESUS! He has overcome! As we walk in this journey, let’s seek Jesus day by day, confessing our sins and struggles to him. Let him change our hearts and minds. Experience His transformative power and live a life of grace. And through His grace, we will be able to say no to the evil desires of our flesh.
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. - 1 John 5:4 ESV 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. - Titus 2:11-14