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The flesh is the problem:

“…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” - Ephesians 2:3 ESV

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” - Romans 8:7-8 ESV

The flesh won’t be reformed. It needs to be cut off:

“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” - Colossians 2:11-12 ESV

The new life is owing to Christ’s work, and not ours: “made without hands”.

Our flesh loves passion, feeling and desire. The problem is that it only likes those that displease God, who is the highest pleasure. What is the answer? Good teaching that helps man see that Jesus is more fun than drugs? No.

Jesus Christ slays this dragon in our heart. These evil desires that we love cannot be subdued (in fact, learning that God is better will only multiply our shame, for we will hate ourselves for still wanting base things). The flesh must be put to death. And we can’t put it to death. God does.

God’s not mad at the world for not being able to stop wanting evil. God is calling men to receive His Son and so be set free from the shame of what they love.

This is good news, that we don’t have to fix our straying wills. What great mercy and love that is given to us.

Application: Christians, continue to live by faith in Christ’s work and goodness, and not your own (Gal.3 ). Ask God to help you (Eph. 3:14-17). He will. This glorifies Him.