Inner Self Being Renewed
One topic that should be of particular importance for a follower of Jesus is how to extinguish the inner desire to sin. Once you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, the individual desires to remove sin and be as close to God as possible. Sin is revolting because the understanding of God has become clearer through salvation. Simply put, the biggest change that has happened is the inner self wants be with God and not a partaker in sin. In examining how a believer may find progress in removing sin to draw close to God, there are many ways this happens, six have spoken to me recently.
The first is to find continual renewal of your inner self. This is the heart and soul of every person. (The heart is the core center of conscience, belief, and all desire) Upon realizing and confessing your need for a Savior, inner corruption became evident. Knowledge of inner corruption ultimately leads to finding forgiveness in the Saviors blood. So a believer should have a real and constant awareness that they are inwardly corrupt. This means we are prone to temptation and we know that now. Since the arrival of this awareness, one is driven to find a renewed inner self. In Christ this renewal happens and equips the believer for endurance through this temporary life leading to eternal life. Satisfaction with sin and its consequences cannot exist in the life of the one that is renewed and is being renewed in Christ. This standard of perfection is what brings the Lord the most glory and no desire for compromise prevails in this new inner self. While our outer self is subject to decay and the consequences of sin, our inner self is strengthened. What an occasion to rejoice in victory! Through outward decay the inner growth and maturing continues for the one who pursues God. This enables the identifying of sin in ones self to be removed and the ability to invite others on this journey of renewal in Christ. Toleration of sin can be nonexistent if dwelling in the presence of a Savior that renews is maintained in the life of the individual.
By turning to God during times of persecution or temptation, extinguishing the inner desire to sin is replaced with a strength of faithfulness to God. Victory over sin and the inner compulsion is possible. True and complete victory comes through passing into heaven, but glory to God comes even now in the present battles won with His strength.
5 more ways to extinguish sin to come…
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..." -Titus 2:11-12
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