'This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,
that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk,
in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling
have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ;
If so be that ye have heard Him,
and have been taught by Him,
as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man,
which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying,
speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another.'
(Eph 4:17-25)
'Dearly beloved, I beseech you
as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;'
(1Pe 2:11)
Hello @
Arwen_Undomiel,
We are all human, and can understand what you are going through to a degree. For we have all experienced the deceitful lusts, in one form or another, and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are indeed
'fleshly lusts' which war against the soul, i.e., the whole person. They can affect you physically, mentally and emotionally, and are designed to keep you in bondage. Yet if you can but recognise them for what they are, as '
deceitful lusts', and acknowledge their goal, to make war against you, and keep you from reaching your full potential, then you can see them for what they truly are.
God wants you to be able to draw on His strength, which is there for you every moment of every day, ask Him to enable you to do so: to stop striving in your own strength, and lean on Him. Trust Him: and see and acknowledge what He has achieved for you in Christ Jesus, keeping your eyes upon Him, and trust Him to keep you in all circumstances. For He is faithful and will do it. Fill your mind and heart with praise to Him, and be occupied with Him, and the love He has for you. Give thanks in all things, and He will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus your risen Lord,
Thank you for sharing.
In Christ Jesus
Chris