The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.”

—Romans 6:21

When we look at the benefits versus the consequences of the things we’re ashamed of, there’s no comparison. Yet somehow, we still find it difficult to say no to those things.

What benefit are we deriving? Quick pleasure that is over nearly the second the action is complete.

This is true of almost every appetite—whether it’s that doughnut we know is one too many, endlessly scrolling social media, the high from online shopping, the porn addiction we keep going back to, or the nightly drinks we “will quit eventually.”

What consequence are we reaping? Slow destruction—emptiness, shame, and spiritual death (often hastening our physical death) along with emotional, relational, financial, and physical problems.

The temptation for those things feels overwhelming. We try to resist, but it seems impossible. We give in because it seems like no one could expend that much willpower forever, and it’s true. No one can—but we don’t have to.

As we exercise the Spirit rather than the flesh, the Spirit becomes stronger, and the flesh weakens. The desire begins to ease, the nagging want calms, and it slowly becomes easier to say no. It’s like walking uphill—it gets harder and harder until you reach the top where the way opens up before you. The walk may not be complete, but it’s no longer strenuous. 

This usually comes after we’ve resisted longer than we think we can—long enough for our bodies to overcome their habits, our minds to begin enjoying the freedom from that want, and our hearts to see the Holy Spirit move more clearly as we submit to him through our obedience.

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