it's not just me
I'm not the only one
there's something wrong...
inside...something deep down
that wars against me...that
pulls me towards what I
know is evil...what is
against my better judgment...
difficult to control at times
and seems to come out of
nowhere like a flash-flood
making me feel like I'm
going to be swept away
down into dark pleasures
and out of the Light where
my heart desires to rest
but it is a battle to resist
the pull like metal to
magnet...the attraction to
sensual passions is real
and can lead to habits -
even addictions - if allowed
to fester unless precautions
are taken - conscious safeguards
that protect my weakened
condition - the result of the
humanity's falling out of
Grace at the beginning of
time - a choice based on
pride and craving for the
pleasures both seen and
imagined...self-love vs
love of the Father...passion
vs reason...vice vs virtue...
fear of man vs fear of the
Lord of Heaven and Earth...
it is all around us...Hollywood's
gaudy enterprises trumpet
its allurements...idolotry's slavery
to fame and fortune...beauty's
price at any cost...children
no longer protected from
the curious fantasies of adults...
it is all the lust of flesh...the
battleground that the evil one
uses as a playground to entice
us to choose the lesser but
more enticing than the greater
but more arduous goal of
spirit...selfless serving...worship
of the Holy One...holiness...
Grace...we all need Grace...
instead of just 'trying harder'
to remain faithful...to continue
on the 'narrow way'...to fight
the 'good fight'...Ask the Holy
Spirit for Grace to overcome...
put aside...turn away from the
temptation - whatever it is...
we are not meant to 'go it alone'...
the Battle of the Flesh will not
cease until we pass from this life...
the evil one knows our weakness
he knows each of us...our habits...
proclivities...and takes advantage
of them to draw us into his web...
his dark cave of sin leading to
eternal fire - its only light . but
victory is ours in the Lord...He
has conquered sin...death...the
devil...and even if we fall into
that bleak cave there is still
hope because we can turn back
with our hands held out for
Mercy and He will hear our
plea for forgiveness because
He is madly in love with each
of us...so...live one day at a time
conscious of the battle within
and our eyes on the Lord and
staying close to Him in prayer
asking for the Power of the Holy
Spirit to follow His leading today...
to fight the good fight...run the
race...walk the Narrow Way...
confident in His Love and
Obedient to His Word...
Resisting the pull of temptation...
and avoiding the near occasion
of sin - a battle plan for Victory...
Reflection / Discussion:
-Why is the 'flesh' an enemy?
-How did it become our enemy?
-Explain what the 'flesh' is.
-How do you experience its pull in your life?
-What is your 'battle plan'?
-What are 'near occasions of sin' in your life?
-How can you remember to ask for Grace and
not just 'try harder'?
-Find a support group of fellow believers to share your battles.
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