Chapter 26- The Hour of Darkness
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." How oft' is that verse quoted in various forums. I wonder how often our spirit isn't all that willing. Do we really strive to serve God? Is there a true willingness to turn from our favorite sin? Or do we presume on God's forgiveness too often in order to tell that off-color joke, make that sharp retort to our spouse or short-change our employer without really begging and pleading with God to keep us our spirits strong?
How many times do we have that split second of conviction before we sin and forge ahead anyway? "Yeah, I probably should not say/do what I am about to say/do, but (fill in the blank with rationalization)."
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Corinthians 10:13 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.
It appears to me that if the spirit were truly willing, there would be many fewer times by far when our weak flesh will be an issue. That is not to say there will not be times when we fail, but I would hazard that stronger spirits would greatly decrease instances of weak flesh.
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