The Struggle is Real - Conquering “Akrasia”
Last year, I got into a minor car accident that left me with a persistent back issue. I eventually learned that a simple morning stretch routine drastically improves my comfort and mobility throughout the day (it makes a big difference). Despite knowing this, I sometimes find myself skipping over it. And every time I do, the discomfort is a clear reminder of the price I pay for not following through.
Can you relate to this kind of internal battle? It may be with things like your health (eating right / exercise), finances (tithing/saving/sticking to a budget), spirituality (studying your Bible/praying).
We all have areas in our lives where we know precisely what's best, what would lead to better health, stronger relationships, or deeper faith, but we just can't seem to consistently do it. This common human struggle, this knowing the good but failing to act, is known as akrasia (uh-KRAY-zee-uh). It's a lack of self-control or discipline that often leaves us wondering why we resist our own well-being.
Of course this is nothing new, even Paul wrestled with it in Romans 7:14-25. Paul talks about how there is a disconnect between his desires (to do good) and his actions (doing what he hates).
Romans 7:15:
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Akrasia is when our flesh wins out over what we know is right, even when the Spirit is guiding us to do better.
What's the solution?
Dependence on God's Grace and the Holy Spirit.
The answer isn’t just to "try harder." It’s to trust deeper. Rather than relying on willpower alone, the Bible points to God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit as the means to overcome our weakness.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The next time you find yourself caught in the grip of akrasia, knowing what's right but struggling to do it; remember God's grace is more than enough. Our willpower alone will inevitably fall short. Start leaning into the strength that comes from His Spirit. It's not about trying harder in our own power; it's about trusting more deeply in His (which never falls).
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Let’s Pray. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace and patience with me. Teach me to lean on Your Spirit more instead of relying on my own will. I thank You in advance for the victory. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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