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Jumpstarter 10 of 10

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Question 10

The chapter says an “evil and awful” something remains after conversion (carnal mind/old man/flesh) yet urges refusing discouragement because Christ can overcome; how do you hold together brutal honesty about remaining sin with confident faith—without sliding into either despair or complacency?

Another way to ask: After conversion, we still have sinful desires (the flesh/old man). How can you be very honest about your ongoing sin while still trusting Christ to help you change—without giving up or getting lazy?

Direct Answer

Bercot holds them together by telling us to be “brutally honest” about the remaining “flesh,” but to measure our outlook by Christ’s power and our faith—not by the length of our sin list—so we fight rather than despair or excuse.

Support from Transcript:

After examination, he says “the picture probably isn’t pretty” and we discover “horrendous, sinful gunk deep inside us.”
He quotes Bringle describing “a big, dark, something” that wants to grumble, be proud, avoid “the shame of the cross,” and be “ugly and sinful.”
He identifies this remaining problem as what Paul calls “the carnal mind… the body of this death… the old man… the flesh,” and says it “remains… after a man has been converted.”
He anticipates despair as satanic discouragement: “Satan will want to discourage you… ‘You’re definitely not cut out.’”
His response combines resistance and faith: tell Satan, “Away with you,” and remember “Christ’s power can overcome whatever flaws and sins we have.”
He urges action, not complacency: make “a written list,” and “every morning pray for strength… to overcome… and… produce the fruits” still lacking.

Discussion Follow-ups What helps you keep your list of sins from becoming either an excuse (“that’s just me”) or a sentence of hopelessness? How does daily prayer for specific weaknesses keep the posture both honest and expectant?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10