Why We Still Struggle

Last updated on: April 23, 2015 at 12:39 pm by Kirk Franklin

Why We Still Struggle 2015-04-23T12:39:53-06:00 Kirk Franklin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

iStock_000002369325_Small

A few nights ago, I attended a live recording for a new artist signed to my label. He’s an incredible talent and we are so proud to have him be a part of our music family. I also had the pleasure of writing two songs for his project which were recorded that night as well. It’s been years since I’ve done a record live. It takes a lot of work beforehand to make sure that night goes off seamlessly. If not, you find yourself having to re-record everything in the studio, so the night was a waste of time and money. Needless to say the night was epic!

That’s the other beautiful part about live recordings: you get to capture the spirit of the moment right there live on tape… should I say that whatever happened that night lives forever. As the night proceeded with each song being performed by this talented new artist of ours, the moment came for my song [or the song God let me borrow] to be sung next. The sweaty palm feeling was on 100. My nerves were on alert level high because of the pressure to deliver what others feel I need to, based on whatever stupid thing they call a career as a songwriter.

As the song starts, my fears start as well. The drug I haven’t tasted in a very long time rears its head and this beautiful night that belongs to this young gift on stage is robbed by this old friend that I hate with every fiber of my being: the flesh. As the people’s praise for the song started to be expressed that night while the artist singing the song delivered it with great passion and intent, my ears quickly became glued to the sound of the crowd. And the voices I’ve boxed in the ring of life quickly wanted rematches. The praise of the people can be a drug you never want to try. You may have voices that speak to you as well, of pride, praise, lust, temptation, whatever your drug. If you’re not careful, you’ll forget who’s doing the talking!

One of the greatest lessons my father in the faith, Dr. Tony Evans taught me as a young man in my twenties is this: don’t beat yourself up when the “voices” come, what matters is what you do with them when they DO come. In other words, don’t beat yourself up when the flesh starts to do what it does best: be the flesh.

See, when you got saved, you now have within you the life of Christ that now takes the place of the old sinful life. But what didn’t change was the house that the old life lived in. whatever habits, thought patterns, addictions, may still try to rear their head, especially if they had deep roots. Some sins and sinful patterns you had before conversion were just weeds. That’s why after you trusted Christ it was easy for you to let them go. For me it was smoking.

But sexual sins I became introduced to as a child became roots deep like an oak tree. This is good news to someone who thinks their conversion didn’t really stick. You question why you still struggle with things now that you are born again and were never taught that sanctification is a lifetime process. The mind has to be renewed because it became comfortable thinking bad thoughts.

If a car company closes its factory, they will no longer make cars in that area. But what they can’t do is go around and gather up all of the cars it already built. Those will still be seen on the street from time to time. Those thoughts and character traits are just old cars that were built before the factory to your soul closed down when Christ took over! I’m feeling a little Pentecostal right now!

So when you see one on the street driving by, don’t beat yourself up, just say “thank God that car is no longer mine!” and keep driving!

Read more on SixSeeds Faith and Family, fan Kirk on Facebook, listen to him on YouTube, and follow him on Twitter.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 23, 2015

Let 'Em Feel Ya -- A Lesson from Sam Cooke

Next Post

May 4, 2015 God Answers Prayers... And Dreams (Meet Baylor's Newest Cheerleader)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who is the author of the Book of Revelation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ezekiel Paul John Peter