The Christian’s own imbecility and insufficiency, even in the strength and height of all his acquirements and preparations; what are you, to grapple with such an adversary? Certainly you are no match for him that conquered Adam hand to hand in his state of integrity. It is not your inherent strength that enables you to stand, but what you receive and daily derive from Jesus Christ, John 15:5. “Without me,” or never so little separated from me, “ye can do nothing; all your sufficiency is of God,” 2 Cor. 3:5. Upon this very consideration it was, that the apostle exhorts the Ephesians “to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” i.e. not to depend upon their own stock and furniture; but Divine assistances and daily communications; “For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but principalities and powers,” Eph. 6:10, 12. In his own strength shall no man prevail.
—John Flavel

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