One of the most difficult consequences of our sin nature is the presence of conflict in our lives.  Many of us avoid conflict like it's a disease, shoving down our dissatisfaction deep into our souls where it festers, sometimes for years.  Others seek out conflict so they can flail away wildly at their intended victim, gaining hollow satisfaction in temporary "victories."  We each make reflexive decisions in the face of unavoidable conflict.

Generally, the Bible teaches believers to pursue peace instead of conflict. Jesus brought believers His peace (John 14:27), and the Holy Spirit enables peaceful living (Galatians 5:22).  The Apostle Paul told the church in Rome, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone." (Romans 12:18).  Peace ought to generally be the goal for believers.

There is one aspect of the Christian life, however, where peace is completely rejected: followers of Jesus fight against sin.

Our battle against sin is real, and we must be prepared to fight as hard as we can so that sin does not gain a foothold in our lives.  As we'll find in the next installment of our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, Paul knew this battle personally.  At the end of chapter 9 and the beginning of chapter 10, Paul describes some practical tools which believers can use to have increasing victory against sin.