The Struggle Is Real

Romans 7:15–25 (NLT): 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 

Our Inherited Human Condition

• Physical death = separation of human spirit from the body.

• Spiritual death = separation of the Holy Spirit from the body.

Our New Condition in Christ

 Romans 8:1–2 (ESV): 1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 Ephesians 1:7 (ESV): 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV): 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Our Lived Experience on Earth

 Galatians 5:1 (ESV): 1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

• There’s a heavenly reality, and there’s an earthly experience.

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

• In other words, we should not give opportunity to the flesh.

• The flesh is that part of us that still produces sin even after Jesus has made us new. 

• It’s a rebellious force within us .

• The lingering effect of our fore parents’ crimes .

• A genetic predisposition to defy God’s law.

• A network of thoughts, beliefs and actions “that opposes God and seeks sinful gratification” [Article titled “What is the Flesh?” from the website, gotquestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/the-flesh.html] 

Galatians 5:16 (ESV): 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

• The struggle should not diminish the reality of the victory, nor should the victory diminish the seriousness of the struggle.

Galatians 5:17 (ESV): 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV): 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident:

Galatians 5:19 (NLT): 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear….

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV): 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

“Sex sins are not harder for God to forgive, but they are more damaging at a personal and social dimension than other sins”—Jack Hayford

All sin, whether we think it’s flagrant or respectable—should be taken seriously. 

• To read more on this subject, read:

• Fatal Attractions: Why Sex Sins Are Worse Than Others by Jack Hayford

• The Anatomy of Seduction: Defending Your Heart for God by Jack Hayford

• Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

• Our Favorite Sins: The Sins We Commit & How You Can Quit by Todd H. Hunter

Matthew 9:36 (ESV): 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Defenseless against Satan’s attacks.
• Dependent on the grace of pastoral care AND
• Disempowered from a fulfilled spiritual life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Matthew 26:41 (ESV): 41 . . . .The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1. Have faith in God.

 Ephesians 2:8 (ESV): 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

2. Remember that we have the victory already (Jesus already secured the “W”).
3. Execute the game plan.
4. Discover, join, and contribute to your social support system.
5. Submit to pastoral care, instruction, and guidance.
6. Repent.

• Repentance is an act of faith in which we simultaneously turn from sin and to Christ.

• “Sanctification ([which means] becoming more like Christ) . . .is a process that requires ongoing repentance.”

• Repentance involves contrition.

• Contrition: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior, actions, etc. (Webster’s Online Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrite)

• Hence, true repentance can involve godly shame and grieving.

1 Corinthians 15:34 (ESV): 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 (ESV): 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 

David’s example of contrition.

Psalm 51:1–4 (ESV): 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

“For more on repentance, see The Way of Repentance: Embracing God’s Gift For a Transformed Life by Chirs Bruans”

7. Confess Sin to God and Each Other.

• Biblical confession of sin presumes a repentant heart.

1 John 1:8–9 (ESV): 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

8. Learn the fear of the Lord.

 Psalm 34:11 (ESV): 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

 Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

9. Learn God’s ways.

Psalm 51:12–13 (ESV): 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

 Psalm 103:7 (ESV): 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

10. Access the neglected benefit.

 Book List 

 Fatal Attractions: Why Sex Sins Are Worse Than Others by Jack Hayford 

 The Anatomy of Seduction: Defending Your Heart for God by Jack Hayford 

 Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges 

 Our Favorite Sins: The Sins We Commit & How You Can Quit by Todd. H. Hunter 

 The Way of Repentance: Embracing God’s Gift for a Transformed Life by Chris Brauns.