Romans 7:21 "So I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me."
Mention the words spiritual warfare, and you may get quite a few strange looks from people, even Christians. The Christians who recognize this term, and use it in conversation - tend to be labeled as "over the top", "crazy", and/or "weird".
Why?
We all have a spirit. Our spirit will live forever - either in heaven or hell. God wants us to be obedient to His word. Satan (i.e. the devil) does not. Satan wants us to do things our way, without consulting or reverence to God. Satan wanted to be God (Isaiah 14:12-15). He tempts us to do the same. Sometimes his temptations are subtle, others definitely not.
TV shows would often show a person struggling over a tough decision as having a small angel on one shoulder, and a small devil on the other - both making their case as to why you should side with them. This is how I need to view Satan's desire to tempt me to do "the next wrong thing" that is disobedient to God's word. Satan is real, and he is looking for any chance to tempt us to turn from God. A weaker Christian, one drowning in sin; is a Christian not being the beacon of light they need or are called to be.
1 Peter 5:8 - "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour."
By recognizing the devil and temptation is real and ever-present; I can not get caught off guard.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
My quiet time each morning spent in the Word is a necessity on which I greatly rely. For without the Word and God's grace, my sinful nature would take over. I lean totally on the strength of Christ to hold me to the narrow path I seek to follow. Left to my own nature, I would become prideful and self-centered.
Dear Father, Keep me ever vigilant of my own sinful tendencies to become self-absorbed. Direct my steps to You, and keep my thoughts upon Your Word. For it is in Your grace alone that I am saved from the sinful ways of this world. Amen
I enjoyed reading your reflection. The scripture that has most strengthned me during seasons of spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6:10-18, describing the full armor of God. While spiritual warfare has created some of the darkest moments, it has strengthened my faith in Christ and like metal in a forge, those experiences have reformed my character, burning and scorching the sin from my life.
Romans 7:25 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. As a human, I will always battle sin. But the law did nothing to help me except in revealing it in me. With the law, sin led to death, no matter how hard I could've tried to live above it. There was no way around it. Through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, while sin remains, and I continue to battle with it, I am now free from it's death grip. Jesus provided me that release. This is the most profound picture of what Christ's death on the cross did for me and you. He is our only salvation.
Through this chapter, I have learned to focus on Jesus Christ and not the sin. Sin leads to death, Jesus Christ leads to eternal life. He gave me that ability by dying on the cross for me and rising again.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Romans 7:21
ReplyDelete"So I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me."
Mention the words spiritual warfare, and you may get quite a few strange looks from people, even Christians. The Christians who recognize this term, and use it in conversation - tend to be labeled as "over the top", "crazy", and/or "weird".
Why?
We all have a spirit. Our spirit will live forever - either in heaven or hell. God wants us to be obedient to His word. Satan (i.e. the devil) does not. Satan wants us to do things our way, without consulting or reverence to God. Satan wanted to be God (Isaiah 14:12-15). He tempts us to do the same. Sometimes his temptations are subtle, others definitely not.
TV shows would often show a person struggling over a tough decision as having a small angel on one shoulder, and a small devil on the other - both making their case as to why you should side with them. This is how I need to view Satan's desire to tempt me to do "the next wrong thing" that is disobedient to God's word. Satan is real, and he is looking for any chance to tempt us to turn from God. A weaker Christian, one drowning in sin; is a Christian not being the beacon of light they need or are called to be.
1 Peter 5:8 - "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour."
By recognizing the devil and temptation is real and ever-present; I can not get caught off guard.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
ReplyDeleteMy quiet time each morning spent in the Word is a necessity on which I greatly rely. For without the Word and God's grace, my sinful nature would take over. I lean totally on the strength of Christ to hold me to the narrow path I seek to follow. Left to my own nature, I would become prideful and self-centered.
Dear Father,
Keep me ever vigilant of my own sinful tendencies to become self-absorbed. Direct my steps to You, and keep my thoughts upon Your Word. For it is in Your grace alone that I am saved from the sinful ways of this world. Amen
Rich,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection. The scripture that has most strengthned me during seasons of spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6:10-18, describing the full armor of God. While spiritual warfare has created some of the darkest moments, it has strengthened my faith in Christ and like metal in a forge, those experiences have reformed my character, burning and scorching the sin from my life.
Romans 7:25 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.
ReplyDeleteAs a human, I will always battle sin. But the law did nothing to help me except in revealing it in me. With the law, sin led to death, no matter how hard I could've tried to live above it. There was no way around it. Through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, while sin remains, and I continue to battle with it, I am now free from it's death grip. Jesus provided me that release.
This is the most profound picture of what Christ's death on the cross did for me and you. He is our only salvation.
Through this chapter, I have learned to focus on Jesus Christ and not the sin. Sin leads to death, Jesus Christ leads to eternal life. He gave me that ability by dying on the cross for me and rising again.
ReplyDelete