Overcoming the transgender lifestyle cannot be done by self-effort … by white-knuckling it … by straining yourself. It can only be overcome by the grace of God.
In Ephesians two, Paul the Apostle says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Grace is God’s strength in Christ. The Apostle Paul asked God to remove a thorn in his flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul gives an account of his ordeal: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” “
Now we, who struggle with transgenderism, should not stop at asking the Lord three times to be free of our affliction. It is clear from Scripture that God does not want us to remain in this sinful lifestyle. In the book of James, it is said, “God gives greater grace.” If transgenderism is “the sin which so easily ensnares us”, God’s grace is greater.
In Hebrews 12 we are given the injunction to keep our eyes on Jesus: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Keeping our eyes on Jesus is so important, it cannot be over-emphasized. The story is told in Matthew 14, how Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea. “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out …” Watch Jesus.