OUTLINE:

“I’m better!”
Your so-called “victory” becomes your judgment. When the flesh’s perspective “wins”, you lose. That is your “punishment” (ala Pr 17:5).

Ro 1:32 [NLV]
They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

“seared”
from kauteriazo - means to brand (sear) with a red-hot iron; (figuratively) cauterized, which destroys the "spiritual nerve-endings."

Ro 1:32 [NLV]
They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

“God gave them up”
“gave up” is from paradidomi - means to give (turn) over; "hand over from," i.e. to deliver over with a sense of close (personal) involvement; to hand over, to give or deliver over, to betray [Strong’s]

“I’m better!”
When the human flesh claims victory, it is an affront to the Holy Sovereign of the Universe because said “victory” implies that it is over God. Therefore, if you’re proclaiming a victory over God, it becomes your judgement!

“Every knee should bow”
This includes every intelligent creature God has ever created, both saved and unsaved (including the angels). This is a fact.

The Word of Truth is the final say on all things.

1Co 2:14 [Amplified]
But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].

“I’m better!”
Your so-called “victory” becomes your judgment. When the flesh’s perspective “wins”, you lose. That is your “punishment” (ala Pr 17:5).

Relax
God is in control. There’s no need to try to accelerate your sanctification beyond the pace that God has set for you. Do not compare. Do not set goals. Simply take each day openly, honestly, and in humility. One of the first great lessons is, ‘God sanctifies, you don’t.’

Php 1:6 [Amplified]
I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

Heb 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

What Is Punishment?
We don’t get to enjoy life the way God intended if we are disjoint with His will. Our punishment is visceral, a haunting conviction that we are living in sin.

Lk 12:48b
Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Seek love, for love’s sake.