In his letters, Paul wrote of how after we are saved, we become dual creatures: we have the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 1:13), but we still have a sin nature that wants to remain in control and rebels against the divine counsel of the Spirit. However, before being reborn, we were only of a sinful nature and were enslaved to it and the ruler of darkness who controls the physical, mental and spiritual space of those outside of the dominion of God’s Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
This is why we are called to forgive both ourselves and others. After our rebirth via the Spirit, we are literally no longer the person that committed those sins; no longer the person in bondage to a set of behaviors and values that are outside of God’s will for us. Those without the Spirit are literally slaves to sin, completely unable to resist the sway of evil. Those stuck in such a state are to be pitied, and we are to forgive them for what they do because they have little control over falling victim to the multitude of sins, including drunkenness, sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, rage, witchcraft, greed, envy and the rest (Galatians 5:19–21).
It is obvious that the period after being saved is not a period of comfort and bliss, as it is in the immediate years after being reborn that the Spirit takes control of our being and subdues the sin nature that before held us captive. A fight takes place between the sinful and godly parts of our being, as the sin nature will not go quietly into the night: Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Peter alludes to this in his first letter where he assumes a period of hardship for followers of Christ, but points to the benefits that come from persevering through trials and tribulations, providing an implicit rationale for these hardships.
1 Peter 1
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
In a similar fashion, James points to the necessity of trials in strengthening our faith and bringing out dormant virtue.
James 1
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
What is described here is the sanctification process, where our faith is strengthened, and our new being is moulded towards the image of Christ. It describes the period after our being reborn/saved (justification) and involves deep repentance and following Christ’s commands when before we followed the fake wisdom of the world; it is a period that entails realizations about the true nature of our previous existence, and a call to forgive ourselves and those that hurt us. This process begins with our true expression of faith (James 2:14–26; Galatians 5:6; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23) and escalates rapidly afterwards, as the Holy Spirit is living and operating through us, and we begin to be clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Much of this is painful and at times we may be like Lot’s wife and look back longingly to aspects of our previous lives. For me this was a job and relationships that were no longer suitable after being reborn; for many it is the worldly tools and substances they once relied upon to manage stress or to feel accepted by society. Yet, the things of the past will never be the same once the Spirit begins living in our beings, and we can only look forward: Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” The Scriptures provide some useful advice for navigating this season, and I will examine this in what follows.
Fear is an obvious problem, as we are stepping into a new life, with new associations and potentially a new occupation. Following Christ’s bold proclamation outlined in his Sermon on the Mount, Peter tells us that we should not fear what the unsaved fear (1 Peter 3:13), for we are shielded by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5). We are also instructed to cast our anxieties to God; so, in this new season, prayer and faith will be the well-springs of our peace and power, whereas before it may have been alcohol, cannabis, online shopping, career success and money (1 Peter 5:7). For those feeling confused regarding their purpose and direction, James advises us that God will provide us with the wisdom necessary to get through these times if we reach out to Him (James 1:5), and that when we fall, we need only humble ourselves before the Lord and He will pick us up (James 4:10).
While the sin nature will co-exist in us until our bodily resurrection, it does loosen its grip with time, but there are times of great struggle and overcoming. Peter tells us that we are to take heart in the promise that the season of intense refining will come to an end, for after suffering for a little while God will restore us.
1 Peter 5
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul affirms this in a message reminiscent of Psalm 1, encouraging us that if we continue to live by the Spirit and deny our sin nature, we will begin to reap a harvest of the Spirit rather than of sin (Galatians 6:7–9). This harvest is our eternal life but will begin to fruit some of the positive things of life while here, unless God has set us aside for martyrdom. He teaches us not to be weary of doing God’s will, for if we do not give up, we will reap a harvest at the proper time.
A final point I would like to touch on is that while we go through a season of hardship to sanctify us and break down our sin nature, and that hurts, the experience is blended with spiritual attacks from the kingdom of darkness that revolts at having lost a slave. My opinion of this experience, based on a reading of Job (chapter one), is that God allows such attacks as part of the sanctification process for once we are God’s children, permission must be obtained to attack us. Such attacks are different from when we are still dead in sin, for when outside of God’s kingdom, Satan has greater rights over us. When under such spiritual refinement, stay in prayer, fast, and turn to God guidance to determine what aspect of your life He is trying to correct by allowing hardships of this type.
1 Peter 5
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Prayer
Lord, I ask that you break me free from all unhealthy and sinful thought processes and compulsions.
Shatter my sin nature and let your Holy Spirit come flowing into me.
I ask that I do not fall into the traps the evil one sets for me as I did in the past, and that you give me the strength and discernment to navigate the world as one of your reborn children.
Teach me day and night about what you want me to do and know and shield me in your power.
Heavenly Father, grant me the ability to speak wisely and restrain from saying hurtful things.
Grant me the capacity to love others despite memories of past hurt and disappointment in my interactions with them.
I wish to be more forgiving and ask for a deeper ability to forgive those who have hurt me, including myself.
I accept that a sanctification process is necessary to refine me, as I was once dominated by the ways of this world.
I ask that you strengthen me so I can push through to the harvest promised to those who do not give up.
There are times I am anxious about my future while still here on earth. I cast my anxieties to you and trust you will hold my hand when walking uncertain paths.
May the will you have for me in Heaven be done on earth.
I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.