At the time of our conception we received a nature (disposition) from our parents (Psalm 51:5). Sadly, it’s a perverted sinful nature that has been passed down through a stream of blood from Adam and Eve to us. It is a nature that opposes God’s right to rule over us and to impose His standards of living on us. We all start out life as enemies of God (Romans 5:10), not as little angels. We have a rebellious streak in us that must be curbed or it can lead to greater criminal behavior and imprisonment.
Born Again. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious teacher in Israel, that he needed to be born again from above (John 3:3). It’s a spiritual birth that takes place when we acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as our personal Savior (Acts 16:31). He died for our sins and rose again bodily on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). This is the Gospel that leads to our salvation.
A Divine Nature. Upon trusting in Christ for our salvation, we are transferred out of spiritual darkness into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:14), and participate in the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This new nature enables us to do things that are pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:9).
Two Natures. Even though the believer has been given a new nature and is part of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), he still retains his sinful nature (1 John 1:8) which battles against the new nature. He will have it until he dies physically or the rapture takes place (1 John 3:2).
Conflict. Believe it or not, the Apostle Paul’s two natures struggled against each other. One nature wanted to do the right thing while the other wanted to rebel against God’s Word (Romans 7:15-25). Do you ever feel this way and struggle as he did?
Victorious Living. Only when a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and walks by means of the Spirit can there be victory over the sin nature (Galatians 5:16, 25). All unbelievers are dominated either by their sin natures or the devil (John 8:44). They cannot do anything to please God (Romans 8:8; Isaiah 64:6). They all sin and come short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23) and deserve eternal condemnation in hell (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15). Jesus made it possible for us to avoid that awful place (Romans 5:8). Where will you spend eternity?
Our Sin Nature. It entices us to engage in activities that pervert good things. It’s true, sometimes we engage in sin because it brings us temporary pleasure (Hebrews 11:25). But often erotic love turns to hatred for the other person. This happened to one of King David’s sons (2 Samuel 13:15). Consider King Solomon’s words. “…the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword” (Proverbs 5:4).
A Seared Conscience. Some people sin so often their conscience becomes seared (1 Timothy 4:2). Is that the condition in which you find yourself? Maybe you don’t even realize it. Ask your true friends to be honest with you. There is hope and help for those who want it. Within the pages of the Scriptures we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The wisdom of this world falls short and actually can lead to deeper complications in life (James 3:13-18; Colossians 2:8).
The Blessed Man. He doesn’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor does he stand in the path of sinners, or sit down with the scornful. Instead he finds his delight in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night. He will be a productive person. But the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1).
Perverted Works. (Galatians 5:19-21) Immorality, impurity, licentiousness are perversions of the sexual instinct which is in itself a lovely thing and part of love. Idolatry is a perversion of worship and was begun as an aid to worship. Sorcery is a perversion of the use of healing drugs in medicine. Envy, jealousy, and strife are perversions of the noble ambition and desire to do well which can spur us to greatness. Enmity and anger are perversions of that righteous indignation without which the passion for goodness cannot exist. Dissension and the party spirit are a perversion of the devotion to the principle which can produce the martyr. Drunkenness and carousing are the perversion to the happy joy of social fellowship and of the things which men can happily and legitimately enjoy. Beauty is turned to ugliness. The sin nature takes the raw material of potential goodness and turns it into the material of evil. (Adapted from William Barclay)
I Wanted To Change. During my younger years, after becoming a Christian, I had a longing to do what was right in God’s sight but didn’t know how to live victoriously over my spiritual enemies, the devil, my own sin nature, and the world system in which I found myself.
God’s Grace. God graciously brought into my life some godly men who taught me things from the Scriptures that have revolutionized my life. I finally learned how to gain victory over my spiritual enemies. No longer do I have to be a defeated Christian. Would you like to be liberated too?
Enemies Identified. Each spiritual enemy entices Christians in different ways in an attempt to break our fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). But “Greater is He (God the Holy Spirit) who is in us, than he (the devil) who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). His eternal doom is sure. Don’t join him there (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46).
Not Sinless. Even though I still sin (act lawlessly) from time to time, I sin a lot less than I used to sin (1 John 3:9). I know that I must confess my sins to God the Father when I sin. Then He promises to forgive me (1 John 1:9). If I walk in the light as He is in the light, I can enjoy fellowship with Him and other believers (1 John 1:3, 7).
What About You? Are you sure you will spend eternity with God in heaven someday? Why should He let you into His heaven? If you believe you are going to heaven, is there anything you could do or fail to do that would cause you to lose your salvation? How secure are you? Are your words and actions pleasing God?
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