DAD'S RAMBLINGS – The War Between Flesh and Spirit
Romans 7:14-23
"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
This is a lengthy reading which sometimes seems to talk in circles. Some teachers regard this passage as reflecting Paul's struggle before he was born again. He wanted to do right, but the carnal part of his being was so strong. I tend to think that this struggle between flesh and spirit is a continuing war for the Christian, both because Paul wrote this all in the present tense, and also because it is a reflection of personal experience. I, like the Psalmist, want to do God's will. "I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:127-128). I strive to obey God's commandments but sometimes I fail, and I cry out with Paul, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (vs. 24). His answer: "Jesus Christ our Lord!" (vs. 25). There is victory in Jesus, who conquered sin and gives us the power to live victorious.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The struggle between the desires of the flesh and the spirit can only be won
through Jesus Christ.
Have a victorious day. Love you.
Romans 7:14-23
"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
This is a lengthy reading which sometimes seems to talk in circles. Some teachers regard this passage as reflecting Paul's struggle before he was born again. He wanted to do right, but the carnal part of his being was so strong. I tend to think that this struggle between flesh and spirit is a continuing war for the Christian, both because Paul wrote this all in the present tense, and also because it is a reflection of personal experience. I, like the Psalmist, want to do God's will. "I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:127-128). I strive to obey God's commandments but sometimes I fail, and I cry out with Paul, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (vs. 24). His answer: "Jesus Christ our Lord!" (vs. 25). There is victory in Jesus, who conquered sin and gives us the power to live victorious.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The struggle between the desires of the flesh and the spirit can only be won
through Jesus Christ.
Have a victorious day. Love you.
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