Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Sampling:

Most of us have been to a store where they offer free samples. The purpose of those samples is to achieve two goals. First, it is to gauge how the consumer reacts to it; and second, to add additional stock so as to sell more of the same if the reaction is favorable. The store is not really concerned about whether, or not, the customer enjoys the product; other than to find out what the customer favors or rejects. This is the fundamental mission of the company's marketing strategy: give the customer what they want (keep them happy about our product), and increase the revenue which the company takes in as a results. It's just basic economics.

The inherited sin nature dwelling in our flesh follows the same basic strategy, in order to entice us to accept its product, and move us to keep on coming back for more of something we find "gratifying", in order that the sin nature might grow in strength and power.

Merriam-Webster defines gratifying as: "giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses."

Our sampling of various products offered by a store, is comparable to dabbling with sin which is offered by the sin nature within us. We are creatures of habit! Not everyone is moved to try every sample presented to them, and not everyone who tries a sample or samples is going to buy it. Sometimes the sample may be more appealing in the store, but when we get home and try it, we find that it's not for us. Keeping the customers (You and me) happy with what we find gratifying is a primary objective of the inherited sin nature within each of us. A plethora of choices is being continuously offered to each one of us in hopes that we may become fixated on something which will open the door to the sin nature, and give it power over us.

Acceptance:

The second step in the operation of the sin nature within us is executed, when we decide that what we have become fixated upon is something worthy of acceptance. It is obviously somthing that makes us feel better about ourselves, at least until conviction by the Holy Spirit comes as a results of our engagement with what we have accepted. For the Christian, we may have a deep sense of remorse, at first, for having engaged ourselves with the sin, even though the Holy Spirit is warning us of the dangerous place we are in.

This is the point at which the believer should not only confess their transgression, but repent from it as well. We should never confuse remorse with repentance. They are certainly not the same thing. Remorse is sorrow for having committed the sin; whereas repentance occurs only when the remorse within us is sufficiently strong to cause us to totally cease participation in the sin, without the resumption of it. Remorse without repentance stymies sanctification which the Holy Spirit is attempting to minister to us. The danger of remorse without repentance is that we tend to repeatedly fall back into the same trap which ensnared us in the first place, because we have not fully shut the door on the sin. Continuous participation in the same sin (or even mulitple sins) will eventually lead to a "stronghold" developing in our life, and ultimately leads us to the next step in the process.

Purchase:

Continuous interaction with a sin or sins is tantamount to saying, "I not only accept the presence of the sin I have sampled, but I embrace it". We have, in effect, purchased what we have tried, without the any real thoughtful consideration of what it will cost for making that decision. Over time the conviction of the Holy Spirit becomes more and more faint with our continual indulgence in the sin or sins we have become involved with. Eventually, lack of repentance, leads to deterioration of remorse, which is the first line of defence for our spirit's well being. Scripture states that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by our unrepented sin (Eph. 4:30). Continuous resistance to heeding or obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit, will enevitably lead to the next extremely dangerous step. At this point, we are entering, a road which can lead to self-inflicted destruction.

Psychological Coercion:

Eventually there comes a "break over" point, at which interaction with the sin doesn't depend on our voluntarily participation. The sin now becomes an entrenched stronghold within us. It has now reached the point at which the participant is coerced by the sin nature which has its tenacles around their spirit. One of two things can happen at this point. Firstly, the believer (or unbeliever) will finally come to the realization that they are in deep trouble. They now, want to stop what they have been doing, but find themselves powerless to escape the clutches of the sin nature. Secondly, if not caught early enough, the sin nature will finish its work by totally overpowering their spirit, which will ulitmately lead to their destruction (I Cor. 6:17-20 ; 2 Pet. 2:20-21 ; Heb.3:14 ; Heb 6:4-6).

If the believer realizes that they are in trouble, then they are yet able to be recovered from their error, and brought back into a sanctified state with and by the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 3:9). For the unbeliever, their situation, can only be remedied by calling out to God, and accepting the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. In either case, getting to that point, is effected not only by remorse, but must be followed up by repentance as stated above. If we are truly remorseful to the point that we are willing to repent (turn away) from our sin; salvation is available to the unbeliever; and restoration to the believer. The Holy Spirit will definitely empower us to that end (Ezekiel 18:23 ; II Cor. 10:4). In the future, it will require that we pay attention to watching for the sin nature to speak to us; followed by our quick rejection of what it is being suggested. Only the Holy Spirit can make us aware of the present danger of the sin nature and empower us to resist it. The bottom line is: there is no substitute for confession, remorse and repentance.

The following is an excerpt from an article on "Psycological coercion", which though secular in its composition, is useful in summing up how the inheirted sin nature within, can get a "strangle hold" on a person:

"Psychological coercion overcomes the individual's critical thinking abilities and free will - apart from any appeal to informed judgment. Victims gradually lose their ability to make independent decisions and exercise informed consent. Their emotional defenses, cognitive processes, values, ideas, attitudes, conduct and ability to reason are undermined, and decisions are no longer through meaningful free choice, rationality, or the inherent merit or value of the ideas or propositions being presented... Psychological coercion can be applied to such a degree that the victim's capacity to make informed or free choices becomes inhibited. The victim becomes unable to make the normal, wise or balanced decisions which they most likely or normally would have made, had they not been manipulated. The cumulative effect of psychological coercion can be an even more effective form of undue influence than pain, torture, drugs or the use of physical force or threats."

(Emphasis Above is Mine)

Excerpt from: The Neurotypical Site: Psychological Coercion

Surrender:

At this juncture, The Holy Spirit has now been silenced through the repeated shunning of His call, which has been fully replaced with the ongoing practice of sin a person has allowed to take root. Now, fully rooted, it is on its way to gaining total power over the individuals personhood (body and spirit). Following our own will to this extent, isolates us from all communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Never forget that GOD IS HOLY, and He will not allow sin to forever abide in His presence. He warns that defiling the Temple (our body), in which the Holy Spirit resides, carries a heavy penalty with it (I Cor. 3:17). Next we move to the last step in this process:Possession.

Possession:

This final step reflects the sad and horrendous end a person can arrive at if they continually resist the urgings of the Holy Spirit. When a person reaches this stage, the inherited sin nature within, will have finally overtaken the person again, who has continuously resisted the efforts of the Holy Spirit. Their conscience has becomed "seared" and they are no longer moved by any sense of right and wrong. Such is spoken of in II Thess. 2:7,11-12. They have reached the point of absolute delusion; and have totally given themselves over to the sin nature within, thus having reached the condition mentioned in II Pet. 2:20-21 and Heb. 6:4-6. For that person, the inherited sin nature has now taken full posession of their spirit and body. For them, the Holy Spirit has been "...taken out of the way..." (He will no longer convict them of their sin), and they are given over to serve the lust of the flesh (the inherited sin nature). Scripture has made it abundantly clear, who and what will not ever enter the Kingdon of Heaven (Gal. 5:19-21 ; I Cor. 6:9-10).

In Summary:

About all that can be said, is: as a believer in Jesus Christ, don't fall into the trap (Prov. 7:23) that is set before every one of us. Be careful of what is presented to you, and beware that the inherited sin nature is always struggling against the born again spirit.

For the unbeliever, who has not received Jesus Christ as there Lord and Saviour; turn to Him, by confession of your sin, before Him. We must also express to Him our commitment to turn away from the practice of sin. You then may ask for God's forgiveness. Remember as stated above, remorse (being sorry for our sins) is not enough. We must be willing to permanantly turn away (repent) of the sin of which we are guilty of commiting. Don't be frustrated if everything does seem change instantaneously. It is a lifelong commitment, during which the Holy Spirit will effect the change needed in your life. Some changes may occur rapidly; other will take time. If you are truthful in your request, you can be assured that He will send the Holy Spirit to you, who will dwell within you and keep you safe. You will also have that quite assurance inside, that God is with you in your walk, and always available to hear you speak or pray to Him about the various issues in your life. The main condition for our communion with God, is that we listen for and heed the guidance of His Holy Spirit. If so, you will be safe and accepted by Him as a son or daughter. Don't follow the path that leads to the destruction described in the above article. Every human being is subject to falling into the trap, unless we are faithful to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells." (Romans 7:18, 25).

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See also:

Our Sin Nature and the Restoration

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