Why Then Do We Still Fail?

Anonymous said...
Satan is defeated, in that we no longer fear death, but why, Andy, do we still fail due to Satan's lies and deceit while we are still living in this world? Is it because we do not fully understand or take hold of the fact that he is defeated, or does he still have some real power here in this world? Since he "[fell] from heaven like a lightning bolt", has he been here trying to trip us up? And what is our best defense against that?
April 18, 2011 12:33 PM

It is worse than that we “don’t understand”. We sin because we love it, because we prefer it and choose it over pleasing God in the moment. Until we cut through our pride and admit that our sinful desires demand instant gratification and we love to satisfy them, we will never defeat the actions that spring from them.

What is not defeated is our will. We still want to sin. Sin provides some pleasure, some relief, some status or benefit and we want it and refuse to consider the consequences to our consciences. Every time I knowingly sin, it is because I want to. That is the truth of 1Cor 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

I ought to be able to kid myself. When I want to gaze at something, think something, say something, eat something that I shouldn’t, I ought to recognize my sinful desire that says, “I want…” and say to that desire, “of course you do. You’re a sinful desire that hasn’t been put to death yet. Here let me help you with that…” and smother the bastard desire before he grows into a fully developed sinful action.

If you do not, your own sinful nature, in cahoots with the devil and his world full of attractions will steal your joy in the lord which is your strength. Learn this lesson every time you sin and know…

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.