So, I’m walking down the street and I see a sign “Keep Off the Grass” what’s my first impulse? I want to walk on the grass of course! Don’t feed the animals… where is some kibble. It’s human nature to oppose direction. That is how the law is used to teach us our sinful natures. Paul said “sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind”. I’ve often pondered why the Israelites constantly did the opposite of what God commanded them. The answer is because they are human, and slaves to sin. Romans 6 says that as believers we are dead to sin and reborn as slaves to Christ, so we have the freedom to choose to keep off the grass like commanded or reject the command and make tracks. In other words, we have the freedom to resist sin, or to embrace it. 1 Cor 10:13 says “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” The truth of this passage is in the word will. It says, “will be able to endure it”, not might be able to, or should be able to, but affirmatively will be able to. So, let’s drop the pretense of struggling with sin and acknowledge that it’s not sin that we struggle with it’s us that we struggle with. For myself this understanding is very powerful. When I’m tempted to reach for another piece of cake, or to graze in the kitchen at night, I only need to bring my thoughts and cravings under control, and I know that God promises that I will be able to endure the temptation. I only need to lean on Him for the strength I need. I am dead to sin after all (read Romans 6).