When God created the first humans, he blessed them and gave them a commandment that they should not eat the fruit of a single tree. They disobeyed and God punished them and all their descendants, including me. God also punished the fallen angel, Satan, who tempted the first humans by putting enmity between him and the woman, between her seed and his seed: “He (her seed) will crush your head. You (those who follow your temptations) will strike his heel.”
As a result I have to master my passions and my emotions. I have to resist the example of other humans who are no better than I am. I also am influenced spiritually by fallen angels who are still hostile to God.
So here I am saddled with three strikes against me. But there is more: I have a fourth monster to deal with, one that requires that I fight this battle mostly by myself: I must conquer my pride, my self image as someone having sovereign rule over my free choices. I must subdue this perception so that I can whole-heatedly subordinate my aspirations to the aspirations of God. This is a real challenge.
Maurice A. Williams
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