Roman 7:14-23 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 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. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 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. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to 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.
The biggest battle we as Christians face today is the same one that Paul faced 2,000 yrs ago........ourselves. We all have trouble doing what we are supposed to do because basically, it goes against our nature. Have you ever heard that expression? When something "goes against our nature" with Christ, that means we have too much of "our nature" in us.....our nature is sin...we were born into it, we see it all around us...it’s human nature!
Did you ever see dogs eat? They can be really nice dogs, but I play this game with Rosey that I act like I’m gonna take her food from her. It’s "her nature" to bite me and not let me take it. Most of the time we play, but sometimes she gets really mad if I push the limits, and her real dog nature comes out.....she’s nipped me pretty hard sometimes. I’m sure she doesn’t intend to, but sometimes she just can’t help herself. That is a built in response...it’s her nature.
Did you ever hear stories of people who might have raised a coyote from birth....hand -fed it since it was a pup...and then one day it turned on them? It’s their "nature" to do that! It’s hard to un-train a natural instinct!
Here’s one more.....pit bulls. I can’t tell you how many cases I see on Judge Judy...yes, I know...where these type dogs have attacked either people or other dogs. We have a word for pit bull owners....defendants! It is in that breed’s nature to kill. That is what they weere bred to do.....so whenever the "defendant" gets in court and says "oh, this dog has NEVER hurt anyone....he’s good with kids, other dogs.....LISTEN! He may be all that, but that is contrary to his nature. His true nature is violent....and at some point usually will come out.
Man too, is born to a sinful nature. I believe that when a baby dies, he of course goes to heaven because he hasn’t reached the age of accountability. But every one of us were born into sin....ever since Eve took of that "forbidden fruit" we are all bound to be born into sin.
As a matter of fact, we spend a good deal of our time growing up learning HOW to develop our sinful nature. Whenever the phone rings and Momma answers it and tells whoever is calling that so-and-so is not home......and it’s her that they’re calling for (bill collector, etc) the child sees that....and learns it. Learns that it’s OK to lie whenever it’s convenient. When if the Mother was aware of what she was doing she would NEVER teach her child that. Same thing happens about going to church....your child is watching!
When I was in Jr High, we were taking a test....and I looked over and some kid had the answers written on his hand. I learned that you could cheat and it was OK as long as you don’t get caught. We are born into a sinful nature and then we spend our lives learning how to cultivate that nature. We’ve talked before about how babies have to be taught to share. It is contrary to their nature to share...it must be a learned behaviour! Unfortunatly, we have a propensity to learn wrong behaviour!
I want to mention too, that sometimes you are born with certain genes in you that make you more apt to battle with certain sins. If you had a alcoholic in your family line, you are going to have to be extra careful that that gene doesn’t get cultivated. If you grew up watching your Father abuse your Mother (verbally or physically) you are going to have to be extra careful that you don’t fall into that.
These are ALL reasons why we have to "crucify" our old man (nature) daily. Even Paul struggeled with his "nature." It wasn’t Paul’s nature to be kind, caring, loving.....remember where he came from. He used to hunt down christians and kill them. He even held the coats of those that stoned Stephen to death. That was his nature....the human nature.....before he let Gods Spirit dwell in him.
We have a lot of worries and troubles these days...always something going on in our lives, isn’t there? Lot of "drama." Sometimes we get so caught up with trying to live THIS life that we forget the life we should be living...the one led by the Spirit! Turn with me to Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
What I want to draw your attention to is vs 8....as long as you are "in the flesh"....that is, submissive to your human desires, you cannot please God! Ask yourself today "do I live according to the flesh? Am I carnally minded?" If you are, you cannot please God because you are against Him (vs 7).
You say "but Pastor, it’s hard to battle against the fleshly desires!" Yes, it absolutely is! That’s what Paul is saying here.....there’s only one possible way to get victory over the flesh......KILL IT! Look at Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. WOW! vs 11 says He will give life to your MORTAL bodies. Now, we always knew He promised us eternal bodies....but now look, it says "if the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell if you, you can overcome that mortal body’s sinful nature! SO we must have MORE of God’s Spirit....and LESS of our own....for we know that our human spirit is indeed carnal in nature.
We don’t have to live by the flesh..look at Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
We have been adopted....joint heirs now...to the Kingdom. We do not owe our flesh anything! All we need to do is "put to death the deeds of the body." That is the sinful nature that dwells in all of us from birth. I do want to warn you about something though....look back at vs 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die;
Well, how then do we know if we are doing that....putting the flesh to death? Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Do you think your life bears witness to the fact that you are putting to death your sinful nature? I hope so! Because if it’s not, it needs to be. It’s a matter of life....or death!
I want to point out something else to you....this process is NOT easy.Look there in vs 17.....it says we are going to "suffer" with Him. What? Pastor, I thought being a christian is supposed to be easy! Now you’rs saying we have to suffer? No, I didn’t say it...the Bible did! It ain’t easy killing your old nature. Some of that old stuff about us we kinda liked! The Bible never says being a christian will be easy....in this life. But I don’t really mind that...because it also says if we suffer with Him, we will be glorified with Him. Look at the next vs 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Whatever God has prepared for us...these few yrs of suffering will never compare to an eternity of Heaven. Listen, God takes care of His children....but don’t look for your "reward" in this life. Look for it in your eternal life. I’ll leave you with this Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
