Inside. Outside. Two realities about evil. Two big problems about evil. One big truth.
OUTSIDE. Evil is there. The enemy wants to pressure us with outside influences. Temptation. Sex. Violence. Gossip. Words that put down. Divorce. Lies. Theft. Endless outside influences.
INSIDE. Evil is there. Coming to Christ gave me salvation, but not immunity. It gave me salvation from the fear of and punishment for sin. But it did not grant me immunity from it. Sin is there. God’s grace has greatly enriched my life; saved me; given me hope; but it does not erase the battle with sin.
ONE BIG TRUTH. Sin is a heart problem long before it is ever a behavior problem. A man or women’s fall into adultery, for example, did not happen overnight or then and there. It started long before with hidden lust. It started long before with fantasy. It started long before in the heart with a longing for something that was not his/hers. Take another example: someone stealing money from work. That didn’t happen overnight either. It started with greed, envy, desperation maybe. Tripp adds this: “It is only ever the evil inside me that hooks me to the evil outside me.” The lure of temptation is great; the strength of God is greater. (I John 4:4)
“Father, Jesus once said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’ Purify my heart so that the outside holds no allure. Let me have eyes only for you.”
You sum it up well Bill.
One must choose to fight the war that rages both inside and outside.
I cannot simply sit back and allow the war to be fought without my involvement. I tend to focus on the outside war leaving the inside vulnerable to the spy within.
Thanks Ryan. I agree that we must choose to fight that war.
Yes, Bill, may we all only have eyes for God. The evil within and the evil without wants so desperately to take hold, and only the Lord can lead us through temptation and keep us in His love.
Blessings!
Only the Lord is well said Martha.
Love that prayer, Bill. Making it mine today.
Thanks Floyd. It is a hard prayer to pray