Sin Hides in Our Hearts Even as We Walk in the Light

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8

Notice that John includes himself: “If we say we have no sin...” Even the apostles could not say that they were wholly free from sin. The impulse to sin remains within every Christian, even while we walk in the light.

Writing to believers, Paul is also quite clear that while we truly love Jesus, and truly desire to do His will, there remains within us an impulse toward what displeases Him: “The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Gal. 5:17).

Paul describes this impulse as “the desires of the flesh.” So, what are we to do about these desires? Are we to say, I know that the impulse to sin remains within me, and that won’t change this side of heaven, so since I’m already saved, I’ll just go with the flow and follow the desires of my flesh?

No! That would be to walk in darkness, and you cannot have fellowship with God while you are walking in darkness. Here’s what you do: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (5:16).

You are to say “no” to the flesh. You are to rise above the desires of the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. This does not mean that the desires of your flesh will go away. They will remain. Sin hides in our nature, and everyone who walks in the light lives with remaining sin.

Can you identify a time in recent memory when you experienced “the desires of the flesh”? How did you respond to them?