Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
03/05/2015, by John Kincaid

Lesson 531: Still at War

Some Christians recovering from addictions speak of their salvation as the “end of the war.”

Their testimonies include words like these: “Since I got saved, I never wanted another…”

They fill in the blank with a wide range of cravings: another cigarette, drink of liquor, shot of heroin, woman who is not my wife, credit card, X-rated website, etc.
 
But the common thread is the idea that sinful cravings ended at the moment of salvation for all true believers. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It is extremely harmful to believers, and helpful to Satan, when people accept this false belief.
 
Satan whispers in our ear: a real Christian wouldn’t still have those thoughts & desires.

We may be embarrassed to speak about our struggles with others, especially if they are legalists. But God’s Word says “bear one another's burdens”. Gal.6:1-2; Eph.4:2; Col.3:13
 
Rom.7:19 I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
 
Rom.7:23-24 I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am!
 
God may set your desires free from craving sinful habits. But often He equips us to fight.

We are still at war against our sin. Every moment, every day, Christians still need Christ.

- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.