The daily Luther
31st March
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5 (xvii)
From this we can learn that the conflict does not take place only amongst gross sinners but also amongst the faithful. This is wonderful consoling news for Christians in that they need not think that they are due for damnation as soon as they experience evil desires. Learn this: if you are a Christian, you will feel all kinds of impulses and evil inclinations in your flesh. For wherever there is belief, there you will find a hundred evil thoughts come rushing in alongside yet another hundred struggles and trials (...).
The complete Luther - "A Meditation for Each Day of the Year" is available as a biligual (English and German) BREVIARY published by Wartburg Verlag Weimar. It can be purchased in English, world-wide from most internet book shops.