Resolving and fighting against it fastens the attention on the sin and its source, and diverts it entirely from Christ. Now it is important to say right here that all such efforts are worse than useless, and not infrequently result in delusion. In this way the outward act or habit may be overcome and avoided, while that which really constitutes the sin is left untouched. Sin is not external, but internal. Sin is nothing else than that voluntary, ultimate preference or state of committal to self pleasing out of which the volitions, the outward actions, purposes, intentions, and all the things that are commonly called sin proceed.
Love is the fulfilling of the law.
We may suppress this or that expression or manifestation of selfishness by resolving not to do this or that, and praying and struggling against it. We may resolve upon an outward obedience, and work ourselves up to the letter of an obedience to God's commandments. But to eradicate selfishness from the breast by resolution is an absurdity. There are many who maintain that sin consists in the desires. We may abstain from the gratification of a particular desire by the force of resolution.