--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even after we have been saved our sinful…" description: "\"“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s Spir..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg" --- # Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves… ![“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s Spirit is at work within you. Before God’s Spirit came into you, you didn’t struggle against sin—you ran toward it eagerly! An unbeliever might…” quote by J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg) > ““Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s Spirit is at work within you. Before God’s Spirit came into you, you didn’t struggle against sin—you ran toward it eagerly! An unbeliever might “struggle” with sin, but typically they are struggling only with its unwanted consequences or the feelings of guilt and shame that accompany it. A believer’s struggle is much deeper. Their struggle is with the wickedness of the sin itself and the grievousness of its offense to God.”” [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Believers experience a deeper conflict with sin because the Holy Spirit works within, revealing the gravity of sin beyond mere consequences. **In simple terms:** Believers struggle with sin’s core, not just its effects. Key Takeaway Embrace the Spirit’s work in confronting sin. Themes spiritual warfare growth grace conviction sanctification Mood introspective encouraging serious Type theological motivational reflective When to use this quote - personal prayer - confession - counseling - small groups - discipleship training Key Concepts theology of sin spiritual formation inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What does this deeper struggle reveal about your faith? - How can you rely on the Spirit during temptation? A Different Perspective Struggle may lead to discouragement if not paired with hope. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believer Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer-struggle-4188208/) [Guilt And Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt-and-shame/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Struggle Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-deeper-2694788/) [Struggle Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-sin-895257/) [Struggle Wickedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-wickedness-4188209/) [Unbeliever Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbeliever-struggle-4188207/) ## Related quotes > [“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness-2/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Likewise, we continue to follow Jesus as we struggle with sin. Repentance ushers us into a life of greater struggle, not out of one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/likewise-we-continue-to-follow-jesus-as-we-struggle-with-sin/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [It's interesting that the worse things get, the more we believe the next technological fix is going to get us out of it. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/it-s-interesting-that-the-worse-things-get-the-more-we-believe-the/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [“Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic view of what ministry is really about. Maybe you’re not gifted to preach sermons, start a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/ministry-sounds-intimidating-until-you-develop-a-realistic-view-of/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Notice that God “places enmity” between Satan and Eve’s offspring. We struggle against sin, hating it in ourselves. If God hadn’t placed enmity between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-t-smith/notice-that-god-places-enmity-between-satan-and-eve-s-offspring-we/) [Winston T. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-t-smith/) > [“In confession the break-through to community takes place. Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/in-confession-the-break-through-to-community-takes-place-sin-demands/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God. God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hunt/we-cannot-tolerate-failure-in-our-struggle-with-sin-chiefly-because/) [Josh Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hunt/) > [Our first problem is that our attitude towards sin is more self-centred than God-centred. We are more concerned about our own "Victory" over sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/our-first-problem-is-that-our-attitude-towards-sin-is-more-self/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“But this is the brilliant truth that outshines the lie: God is totally used to dealing with human imperfection. He has always worked in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-foth-aughtmon/but-this-is-the-brilliant-truth-that-outshines-the-lie-god-is-totally/) [Susanna Foth Aughtmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-foth-aughtmon/) > [“Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We're more concerned about our own "victory" over sin than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/our-first-problem-is-that-our-attitude-toward-sin-is-more-self/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [ “The doctrine of the carnal Christian\[32\] has destroyed more lives and sent more people to hell than you can imagine! Do Christians struggle with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-doctrine-of-the-carnal-christian-32-has-destroyed-more-lives-and/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [Life is a struggle because of sin; a spiritual battle between good vs. evil. life is a complicated process itself. for every action there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/life-is-a-struggle-because-of-sin-a-spiritual-battle-between-good-vs/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [How vast the benefits divine which we in Christ possess! We are redeemed from guilt and shame and called to holiness. But not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-toplady/how-vast-the-benefits-divine-which-we-in-christ-possess-we-are/) [Augustus Toplady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-toplady/) > [Moral Injury is differentiated from PTSD in that it directly relates to guilt and shame veterans experience as a result of committing actions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/moral-injury-is-differentiated-from-ptsd-in-that-it-directly-relates/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [There is a certain kind of pain that can change you. Even the strongest sword, when placed in a raging fire, will soften and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-gidwitz/there-is-a-certain-kind-of-pain-that-can-change-you-even-the/) [Adam Gidwitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-gidwitz/) ## More by J.D. Greear > [“The gospel produces not just obedience, you see, but a new kind of obedience3—an obedience that is powered by desire. An obedience that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/the-gospel-produces-not-just-obedience-you-see-but-a-new-kind-of/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“There is One who remains faithful even when we doubt; One who is a firm foundation when our steps falter; One who holds on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/there-is-one-who-remains-faithful-even-when-we-doubt-one-who-is-a/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“If repentance were perfection, none of those people repented. Repentance, however, means recognizing Jesus' authority and submitting to it, even though you know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/if-repentance-were-perfection-none-of-those-people-repented/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Planting always involves risk. We release control of something we need in the hopes that it will come back to us in multiplied measure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/planting-always-involves-risk-we-release-control-of-something-we-need/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“The goal of the gospel is to produce a type of people consumed with passion for God and love for others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/the-goal-of-the-gospel-is-to-produce-a-type-of-people-consumed-with/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“If I’d had a good week—a real “Christian” week”—I felt close to God. When Sunday came around, I would feel like lifting my head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/if-i-d-had-a-good-week-a-real-christian-week-i-felt-close-to-god-when/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“That’s why growth in Christ is never going beyond the gospel, but going deeper into the gospel. The purest waters from the spring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/that-s-why-growth-in-christ-is-never-going-beyond-the-gospel-but/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“We’ve grown so accustomed to the voice of condemnation that we think the only thing the Holy Spirit ever says to us is, “Stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/we-ve-grown-so-accustomed-to-the-voice-of-condemnation-that-we-think/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“A faithful father does not leave his kids wondering whether or not he loves them. When I have to go away on a trip,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/a-faithful-father-does-not-leave-his-kids-wondering-whether-or-not-he/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Abiding in Jesus means understanding that His acceptance of us is the same regardless of the amount of spiritual fruit we have produced.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/abiding-in-jesus-means-understanding-that-his-acceptance-of-us-is-the/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Likewise, we continue to follow Jesus as we struggle with sin. Repentance ushers us into a life of greater struggle, not out of one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/likewise-we-continue-to-follow-jesus-as-we-struggle-with-sin/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Repentance is not subsequent to belief; it is part of belief. It is belief in action-choice that flow out of conviction. Repentance literally means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/repentance-is-not-subsequent-to-belief-it-is-part-of-belief-it-is/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“In the same way, God grows his kingdom only as we take our hands off of what little portion he’s given to us, “die”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/in-the-same-way-god-grows-his-kingdom-only-as-we-take-our-hands-off/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“As Tim Keller says, the gospel is not just the ABCs of Christianity, it is the A–Z; it is not the first step in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/as-tim-keller-says-the-gospel-is-not-just-the-abcs-of-christianity-it/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“His love is the soil in which all the fruits of the Spirit grow. When our roots abide there, then joy, peace, patience, kindness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/his-love-is-the-soil-in-which-all-the-fruits-of-the-spirit-grow-when/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) [Explore all 37 J.D. Greear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) ## More Justice quotes > [Never fight on the wrong side; you might win but the burden of guilt is more than a loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-salan/never-fight-on-the-wrong-side-you-might-win-but-the-burden-of-guilt/) [Lilian Salan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-salan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-dent-jr/crime-and-punishment-can-be-summed-up-in-two-classifications-there/) [Johnnie Dent Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-dent-jr/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“The jailers, the Court, everyone in that building – it wasn’t about justice; it was about obedience and intimidation…about maintaining order. Fear accomplished that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-allan/the-jailers-the-court-everyone-in-that-building-it-wasn-t-about/) [Jay Allan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-allan/) > [Civilized nations are ones that simply can't endure wrongs or injustice except at home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-anderson/civilized-nations-are-ones-that-simply-can-t-endure-wrongs-or/) [Joseph Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-anderson/) > [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/) [Donald P. Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-p-ryan/) > [This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day \[as a Fairfax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young-folks-to-providing-bedfellows/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [At minimum, we must recognize that there are legitimate, unanswered questions about whether the Obama Justice Department involved themselves in a political project targeting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-meadows/at-minimum-we-must-recognize-that-there-are-legitimate-unanswered/) [Mark Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-meadows/) > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [There is no freedom without justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/there-is-no-freedom-without-justice/) [Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/) > [“The absence of judgment becomes a catalyst and an enabler for greater injustice. Contrary to popular thought, judgment is a GOOD thing when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-chace-gordon/the-absence-of-judgment-becomes-a-catalyst-and-an-enabler-for-greater/) [J. Chace Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-chace-gordon/) > [The function of the law is not to provide justice or to preserve freedom. The function of the law is to keep those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-spence/the-function-of-the-law-is-not-to-provide-justice-or-to-preserve/) [Gerry Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-spence/) [Browse all 13,527 Justice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s Spirit is at work within you. Before God’s Spirit came into you, you didn’t struggle against sin—you ran toward it eagerly! An unbeliever might “struggle” with sin, but typically they are struggling only with its unwanted consequences or the feelings of guilt and shame that accompany it. A believer’s struggle is much deeper. Their struggle is with the wickedness of the sin itself and the grievousness of its offense to God.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.D. Greear" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Justice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/j-d-greear-17414_justice_even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful_489010.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle…” — J.D. Greear", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "J.D. Greear", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Even after we have been saved...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```