The Christian life is a constant struggle between the spiritual and carnal natures of the human being. These two sides cannot exist in peace. The desires of the flesh battle against the desires of the Holy Spirit, who works to transform the character of the repentant sinner. The desires of the flesh are naturally evil, while the desires of the Spirit are holy. In this struggle that is common to all, the spiritual nature must defeat the carnal nature of man if he is to enter the pearly gates of the hereafter.
The apostle Paul wrote: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16, 17.
This conflict is seen in the lives of people in the Bible, both male and female. In this quarter’s Sabbath School Lessons, we will review the lives of some protagonists and antagonists in the Scriptures. We will see that some were victorious, while others were defeated as they yielded to their inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin. In every heart was the struggle between the two opposing powers.
“The history of truth has ever been the record of a struggle between right and wrong.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 84.
“Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist.” –Education, p. 29.
Down through the ages, the overcomers’ secret to victory was their union with Jesus Christ as they yielded to the influence of His Spirit and saving grace. If we wish to have the same success, we also must be born again and have the Spirit of Christ within us, yielding to His grace, which works in us according to His good pleasure. We will then be the sons and daughters of God–conquerors of evil and promoters of good in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.
Therefore, it is essential that we study how to deal with evil through the only power that is capable of overcoming it in every situation, time, and place.
“To withstand this force, to attain that ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts as alone worthy, he can find help in but one power. That power is Christ. Cooperation with that power is man’s greatest need. In all educational effort should not this cooperation be the highest aim?” –Education, p. 29.
The apostle Paul taught that such victory is possible only through the Spirit of God and by having the carnal desires of the soul be firmly resisted. Then, as God’s children, we will live with Christ eternally.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14.
There is great danger in rejecting God’s call to change one’s thoughts, attitudes, words, actions, and habits. The servant of the Lord relates how, upon hearing the message to abstain from unhealthful food and worldly practices, some individuals opposed God’s command and ended their lives in rebellion. She recounts the conflict between conviction of the truth and one’s innate desire for self-gratification. By continuing in indecision, such people failed and erected a wall of separation between themselves and those who desired to be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. And not only that! They acted contrary to present truth and became rebellious.
“The testimonies borne against hurtful indulgences, as tea, coffee, snuff, and tobacco, have irritated a certain class, because it would destroy their idols. Many for a while were undecided whether to make an entire sacrifice of all these hurtful things, or reject the plain testimonies borne, and yield to the clamors of appetite. They occupied an unsettled position. There was a conflict between their convictions of truth and their self-indulgences. Their state of indecision made them weak, and with many, appetite prevailed. Their sense of sacred things was perverted by the use of these slow poisons; and they at length fully decided, let the consequence be what it might, they would not deny self. This fearful decision at once raised a wall of separation between them and those who were cleansing themselves, as God has commanded, from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, and were perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. The straight testimonies borne were in their way, and caused them great uneasiness, and they found relief in warring against them, and striving to make themselves and others believe that they were untrue. They said the people were all right, but it was reproving testimonies which made the trouble. And when the rebellious unfurl their banner, all the disaffected rally around the standard, and all the spiritually defective, the lame, the halt, and the blind, unite their influence to scatter and sow discord.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 428.
Let us be humble and willing to be admonished by the Spirit of God and His holy word so that we may achieve God’s original goal for us–to be called, chosen, and faithful through Jesus Christ. Although the battle is fierce, as seen in the Biblical accounts, victory is certain in Christ.
“The warfare between good and evil has not grown less fierce than it was in the days of the Saviour. The path to heaven is no smoother now than it was then. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our spiritual progress must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed, if it causes us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom, and to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part with our self- righteousness? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Are we willing to welcome the Holy Spirit’s aid, and cooperate with it, putting forth efforts and making sacrifices proportionate to the value of the object to be obtained?” –(Review and Herald, February 10, 1903) Messages to Young People, p. 56.
–The brethren of the Ministerial Research Institute and the General Conferencee