The Augustine explained what it was that made him feel so remorseful.

It wasn't the bear act of stealing this fruit.

But he said, but I stole pears when I didn't like pears.

That is, there was nothing that would stimulate my passions

to steal those pears except one thing.

And that was the sheer joy in doing something that I knew was wrong.

It is the mercy of God that we don't fully see and comprehend the weight and extent of our sinfulness at the point of our conversion.

Because that would be too much for us to bear.

Instead, God in his grace and mercy by his spirit slowly reveals more and more of our sin as we grow in Christ.

And for Augustine, he gained a glimpse of what was truly in his heart when he stole those pears as a child.

You're listening to Renewing Remind, and we'll be hearing a message from RC Sproul's Pleasing God series.

Tomorrow was the final day to request the complete series and study guide for a donation of any amount.

So I encourage you to visit RenewingRemind.org while there's still time.

The world, the flesh and the devil, three enemies that confront the Christian in this life.

We considered the world yesterday.

So today, RC Sproul will examine what the Scriptures say about the flesh and share more about the story of Augustine's remorse.

Here's Dr. Sproul.

In Paul's letter to the church at Rome in the 13th chapter, he makes this comment,

the night is far spent, and the day is at hand.

And let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantingness, not in strife and envying,

but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the loss thereof.

...