“…live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16. Evil habits and practices cling to us with a tenacity that sometimes drives us to despair.  But when God’s Spirit, who lives in our hearts, begins to control us, He pushes off the dead works of the flesh and replaces them with His fruit.  We must nurture the new life within through praying, meditating on the Word of God, and fellowshipping with Christians. Are you discouraged and defeated?  Have all your efforts to turn over a new leaf been met with defeat?  Thank God for the dynamic force of His Holy Spirit within you.  Yield to Him as He speaks to you through His Word.  Before long the old leaves of sinful habits will be dropping away from your life.  Let Christ conquer within and you will conquer without.