“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Rom. 7:15-20
Last January, I cut down many small trees and brush in hopes of building a new garden there in the future. My friend and I stacked them in a 
large pile to burn later.
Three months later, I got the opportunity to burn that well-dried pile of brush and trees. As I was feeding the “dead” cut limbs into the fire, I noticed something very unusual. Most of the old foliage, except the pines, had started sprouting buds, and in some cases little wisps of green leaves were showing. I thought they were dead even before they were cut down, but there was still life in those old limbs. The plants must have been feeding off stored sugars in their branches, even though they were long severed from their roots.
This curiosity reminds me of the dilemma that most Christians battle their whole life. They may have accepted Christ as their Saviour; even repented of most of their sins, but every once in a while, their old sinful habits, thoughts, and actions rear their ugly heads.
We may be saved from the wages of our sins on the inside, and forgiven by our Creator for our iniquities against Him, but we still have the same flesh we were born with. Our flesh still would like to sin. If we do not keep a tight rein on our flesh, it will certainly take back its control and do what it wants; rather than what the indwelling Spirit of God desires us to do.
It is a battle that we all face. When we least expect it, our old life can pop up and try to grow. That is why those saved and serving God for a long time can fall as quickly as those that have been saved for a shorter time. If a little sin is allowed to creep in, anyone can fall. Temptation or sin allows the old ways to attempt to flourish in our lives again. The “old man” (Rom. 6:6) in us will come back to life, if we let him.
With God’s help we can avoid many temptations by obeying His commandments, having a regular prayer life, and feeding daily on the Word of God. It is possible to limit the damage done by our old sinful nature. Being stronger spiritually is the only way to keep one of our main enemies, our own flesh, under subjection.
We can be victorious in living the way the Lord desires. He would not command us to do something that is not possible. Our old, sinful nature does not have to be fed. Make the right spiritual decisions. Do not give in to the flesh’s desires. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mat. 26:41
“If you were perfect, your first name would be “Jesus,” and you would have holes in your hands!”
Great devotion ! For me at least , it’s hard to get on a daily devotional. It reminded me of how I make the time to watch a tv show but not do a devotional . You let a little sin in and before you know it , you never make time to feed your spirit . I had a preacher ask me “are you praying everyday” I answered yes most everyday. He said “are you reading your Bible everyday?” To which I answered honestly. No , more often than not , only when I go to church . He said “well it seems to me that you’re having a one way conversation ” ! He was right ! I have terrible chronic back pain so I don’t go maybe 25% of the time . I pray that God would convict me and get me in it everyday so I can grow as a Christian, like I should. It would be so easy to go back to my old ways before I got saved . I don’t want to do that ! This has helped me today , thanks for putting it out there easy to find !
It sounds like you alreadyare convicted. Like all of us, we have to act properly to our convictions. After awhile, if we do not respond to the Spirit’s gentle reminders, He may stop speaking to us as we have ignored what He already has spoken to us about. So many are side-lined from God’s service until they get right and do what the Holy Spirit has already shown them to do. So many of us have “grieved’ the Holy Spirit’s pleading.
This is one reason it is good to stay away from things or people that would temp us .
Great devotion! I live on Lake Bistineau in Louisiana. Since 2006 the lake has been invaded by Salvania (a green plant that covers the entire surface of the lake and spreads like a wildfire)! The plant feeds on the oxygen of the water, therefore robbing the fish of oxygen and kills all the aquatic creatures!
I said all that to say this: The Salvania reminds me of sin in our lives! It spreads like wildfire, robs believers of their joy, and can kill your testimony!
I still remember well the first time I really considered the statement “crucify the flesh daily”. It sounds so out of step with the day and hour we live in…..and it is!
Another great read is the parable of the Dog and the Dove about the war between the flesh and the spirit.