Why do we struggle so much with our fleshly desires? Doesn't it seem like that just when we get ahead spiritually, we fall 2 steps back? I think God explains it well in this verse...
I Corinthians 15:46 "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual."
The natural man came first and, "afterward that which is spiritual." While we are here on earth we will always have to battle the emotions and desires of the natural man. There is nothing wrong about the feelings and desires themselves; but rather, what we choose to do with them can determine whether or not we make right or wrong decisions.
BUT...God didn't leave us hanging in this chapter! It seems these verses give us the answer to victory over the temptations and desires felt by the natural man...
I Corinthians 15:57-58 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
It would seem that our victory comes through our labor for the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are "always abounding in the work of the Lord," we will have the strength to stand against those inner feelings, desires and temptations.
This is a daily battle. The victory, God says, comes "through our Lord Jesus Christ." If we want daily victory in our daily battles, I guess we better get to know the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thanks, God! What a great truth for me to start my day.
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