Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
June 6, 1994
Good Morning!
BILLY GRAHAM OR THE ANIMATED VERSION OF SPORTS' ILLUSTRATED'S
SWIM WEAR EDITION:
The other evening as I settled into my easy chair, I found myself
flipping from channel to channel. Here was Billy Graham speaking
at one of his crusades. Stately. Godly. Penetrating.
Reassuring. My heart was warmed as he reiterated truths
precious to my heart.
"I think I'll see what else is on the tube."
And BINGO: Blithe, lithesome Twiggy-type females frolicking
in the surf, garbed with less than a kilo byte of clothing. Enticement.
Excitement. Arousal.
"Oops...Back to Graham. I'm safe there." CLICK.
"Ahh, Billy Graham."
But my imagination, now equipped with this explosive new fuel,
began to go to work. My curiosity, coupled with the pull of
my lower nature whispered, "Pssst...Dwight...Just go
back for a moment. It won't hurt anything."
St. Paul and I were now soul mates in our struggle between the
lower sinful nature and the indwelling Spirit:
"My own behavior baffles me. For I find
myself not doing what I really want to do but doing what I really
loathe...I often find that I have the will to do good, but not
the power. That is, I don't accomplish the good I set out to
do, and the evil I don't really want to do I find I am always
doing...It is an agonizing situation, and who on earth can set
me free from the clutches of my own sinful nature." (Portions
of Romans 7:15 -24 --Phillips Translation)
So, what is a person to do when confronted with this kind of
inner battle? Three suggestions:
#1 - Recognize the fact that the conflict between
the two natures will be with you to the grave. Paul was
a mature Christian when he penned the above account of his own
inner war.
#2 - Understand that in our struggle with the two
natures, we are not under condemnation. Take note
that in the next breath Paul writes,
"No condemnation now hangs over the head of those who
are 'in' Christ Jesus...." (Romans 8:1 -- Phillips Translation)
#3 - Acknowledge the fact that it is only
in appropriating the power of Christ through the indwelling Holy
Spirit that we can experience victory over the pull of our
lower nature:
"I thank God there is a way out through
Jesus Christ our Lord...Walk
in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh...The
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you
free from the law of sin..." (Romans 7:25; Galatians
5:16; Romans 8:2)
Have a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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