Saranagati requires a higher power of discrimination, based on the spiritual platform. We should know what is favorable for devotional service, and that which is unfavorable should be rejected. However, even if we know, still we cannot fully reject it. Arjuna asked Krishna,“What compels a person to act even if he knows that it is not right?”. To be able to overcome lust is not simply based upon the strength of our own intelligence. We may think we can discriminate and identify what lust is, but we need strength to carry through with not engaging in those activities. We cannot do that on our own strength. A devotee must always feel himself dependent on Krishna. That is the safest position for a devotee. As soon as he thinks, “I can overcome this by my own strength,” he will be defeated by maya. Our strength in comparison to the strength of the illusory energy is very insignificant.
LFD Vol 3,Spiritual Strength Pg 131, 4th paragraph onwards