It's Just a Phase?

Listen closely.... Do you hear the screaming?... It's shrill, demanding, selfish, and angry.... It's stubbornly striving to exert its own will.... It's searching its boundaries seeking control.... It's human.... It's sinful.... It's Amariah.... And it's just a phase?

If I were to say, "It's just a phase," it certainly would not be in any type of agreement with society's use of the phrase.  If a phase is something that naturally passes with time--which I think is the generally accepted meaning of "it's just a phase"--then indeed a phase it is not.  But if for my purposes I may define a phase as something which will pass, though not naturally (and I mean it will pass only through a purposeful effort of Biblical training and discipline), then perhaps I could consider calling this a phase.

Then again, we're talking about a human being--a sinful human being.  So even in the context of my definition, can I accurately say, "It's just a phase"?  Indeed, it's the fleshly desire of the maturest of adults to practice selfishness and to seek control.  Isn't this really just the earliest signs of the sinful nature which rears its ugly head in different ways all throughout this life?  [Christians, praise God that sin shall not be master over you! (see Romans 5-6)]

Perhaps from a parental perspective, it's just a phase.  For, if dealt with correctly at it's onset, the battle will be won (by the parent, that is).  Lines will be drawn, boundaries defined, respect cultivated, selfishness subdued... not to mention groundwork laid for conquering the flesh (through the power of Christ) later in life.

With all that said, gear up, Self!  For whether or not this is "just a phase," the battle is on, and it must be won!