struggles

While reading and studying this morning I came across this verse.....
Romans 13:14.....Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

So....this verse got me thinking. Once we come to Jesus our sins are forgiven, but the daily struggle within us is still there. And some things are even harder to struggle with because we now want to please our God and want the old desire also. We shouldn't settle for giving in, but lots of times we do. I know I do.

You know what else? This verse tells us NOT to think about how to satisfy our sinful nature. So....even back in Bible times when God inspired this verse to be written, they struggled with the same exact things we do today. Many say the Bible isn't relevant for today, but that is a lie. It's very relevant today just as it was originally.

We all have a natural bent to sin. To live within the limits of pleasure and want to fulfill that pleasure. Even though we now know Jesus, that desire for pleasure and self is still there....but we now have a way to fight against it with the Holy Spirit and the word of God. We now have a choice to do the right thing and not think about fulfilling our desires. Before we knew Jesus we would give in to every desire without thinking twice.

Back before I knew Jesus I struggled with alcohol. I enjoyed it very much and would drink to be drunk any chance I got. I was very under age. I lied, cheated, and made provisions to get my alcohol any way I could. I had a boyfriend over 21 who would buy it for me. I had friends who would get it for me. I loved the escape from reality and how it made me feel. I was the life of every party I went to. People enjoyed my company when I was In that state. It wasn't only the fantasy, but the acceptance of others that kept me in that dark place so long.
I look back on those days and wonder how I am even still alive today, but God kept me safe through my disobedience.  I look back on those days and want to cry. The shame I feel for hurting my God is unbearable at times.

As a result of this experience in my life, I don't drink at all. I don't know what the taste would do to me or if it would stir up all the emotions of a life I used to have. I do not feel I have "overcome" this, but make provisions not to engage in it. I do not have a problem with others who choose to drink around me and I don't feel as though I'm missing out on anything. It's just I know where I came from and choosing that path is one I don't need to go down again. We all have convictions in this life and what each of us choose to live by is our own choice.

So as this verse tells us.....we should always pray and not plan or think about ways to gratify our sinful nature. But you know what? We will.....we will plan and slip and fall in our mess of this life. We will choose and our desire will take over our reason. We will sin against God as a result. But by knowing this verse and hiding it in our hearts we can remember and be better at overcoming what entangles us. Thank you God you give second chances .....and third chances and .....forth chances.........thank you that you can help us.