THE GREAT TUG-O-WAR WITHIN
Romans 7
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 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.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. so then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Remember the comedian that used to say "The devil made me do it!"
No, he didn't.
Pauls words here have been likened to "Who's on first, What's on second, .... etc."
When we take time to study them, we see that he is describing the battle that every Christian endures.
In that description we also see that the biggest enemy of God's Spirit within us is not Satan but our own flesh, our own desire.
James 4:5 tells us, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?"
When I feel like banging my head on the wall, I think of Paul's words,
not as an excuse for my failings, but that we all share common ground.
"...And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." |
