“A Battle and a March”

Many are frustrated with their seeming inability to remedy defects of character. Even the most conscientious Christians can find themselves falling short of God’s will for their lives. They find that accepting Jesus did not remove temptation and sin. And there are those who believe that to strive against sin would be salvation by works, as though trusting in Jesus spares them the heat of the battle against sin.

Yet, a plain reading of the Bible reveals that Jesus tells His followers to “strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24).

And Paul speaks of believers resisting “to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4, NASB).

Ellen White puts it this way: By a momentary act of will, one may place himself in the power of evil; but it requires more than a momentary act of will to break these fetters and attain to a higher, holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun; but its accomplishment will require toil, time, and perseverance, patience and sacrifice. Beset with temptations without number, we must resist firmly or be conquered. Should we come to the close of life with our work undone, it would be an eternal loss. Paul’s sanctification was the result of a constant conflict with self. He said: “I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31. His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did God’s will, however crucifying to his own nature. God leads His people on step by step. The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering.

It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.* James wrote that those who submit themselves to God “resist the devil,” knowing that he will flee (James 4:7).

Faith in God grants the believer victory over the weaknesses of the fallen nature.