Luther wrote, way back in 1535-
[I]t is very beneficial if we sometimes become aware of the evil of our nature and our flesh, because in this way we are aroused and stirred up to have faith and to call upon Christ. Through such an opportunity a Christian becomes a skillful artisan and a wonderful creator, who can make joy out of sadness, comfort out of terror, righteousness out of sin, and life out of death, when he restrains his flesh for this purpose, brings it into submission, and subjects it to the Spirit. Those who become aware of the desires of their flesh should not immediately despair of their salvation on that account. It is all right for them to be aware of it, provided that they do not assent to it; it is all right for anger or sexual desire to be aroused in them, provided that they do not capitulate to it; it is all right for sin to stir them up, provided that they do not gratify it. In fact, the godlier one is, the more aware he is of this conflict.
- Martin Luther: On Joel Watts (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
- Luther: On Lawyers (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
- Luther’s Very Bad Advice for those Suffering Depression (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
Zwinglius Redivivus 
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