Text: Romans 7:14-25
Title: The Christian’s Enemy Within (preached by Pastor Van Morris)
Main Idea: In addition to the world and the devil, the Christian faces an enemy within – the flesh.
Introduction
How do we account for the sinful things that people (Christian and non-Christian) do?
Our pre-Christian life and our post-Christian life are both a struggle.
Our pre-Christian life was a struggle against God; working against His purposes for us.
Our post-Christian life is a struggle between the Spirit and the enemy within – our flesh.
…but I am of the flesh… ~ Romans 7:14
The flesh is our unredeemed humanness; the bias or bent toward sin that we have from birth.
How Can Knowing This Help Us?
This will help us to face the Biblical realism of “indwelling sin” and the ongoing fight of faith; while at the same time enjoying the glorious rest that comes from God’s righteousness (acceptance) imputed to us in Jesus by faith alone.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ~ Gal 5:16
Believers can live a godly life; one in which they acknowledge and repent of sin and submit themselves to the will and ways of God through the power that comes by the Holy Spirit.
1. Paul says in verse 18 “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” How is this inner conflict apparent in my own life?
2. How does being accepted by God through faith in Jesus help me deal with this inner conflict? How does this lead me to worship God?
3. What can I do to make repentance of sin a consistent part of my life? (1 John 1:9-10)
4. Pastor Van said that walking by the Spirit is following the teachings found in the Bible, how should I read the Bible in light of this?
5. How can I use the truths I’ve learned to help minister to others?
No comments:
Post a Comment