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Subject: The Enemy Within Author: Hillbilly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:43:30 12/04/12 Tue THE ENEMY WITHIN Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Pogo said one time; "We have met the enemy and he is us". The cartoon ws relating to political matters but the statement is a spiritual truth that we should realize. When it comes to spiritual matters we have no greater enemy than our own nature. In writing the verse above Paul was admitting his inability to overcome the nature that was within him to walk contrary to the law of God. The context of verse 21 is found in the preceding verses as listed: Romans 7:15-20 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Paul, arguably, was the greatest of the Apostles. God used him more than any other Apostle. He authored 14 books of the Bible (allowing for Hebrews which I believe he wrote) went on missionary journeys in most of the known world at the time. He mission was to those of us who were known as Gentiles ane through God's using him as He did we were saved through the "foolishness of preaching" (1 Cor. 1:21) the things he declared. How is it then that he could say that evil was always present with him and the good he wanted to do he didn't but the evil he didn't want to do he did as if the Devil was making him do it? The answer of course is "nature". His nature, your nature and my nature. It isn't the Devil's nature that makes us sin. It is simply that we are sinners by nature and the flesh is where our evil nature abides. When David sinned with Bathsheba he was following his nature just as Samson was with Delilah. The only two people in the Bible that went against their nature when they sinned were Adam and Eve. They had no sin nature until after the fall. They were created without sin! Every person born after them inherited their fallen nature. We sin because the law of God is not natural to us. When we follow God we are going against the nature of our flesh and the flesh does not like it. The flesh fights us every step of the way and this sin nature is the true enemy within. Now there are people who will tell you that when they got saved their nature was changed and they didn't want to sin any more. All I can say to that is that was not my experience. I still wanted to do the things after I got saved that I was doing before I got saved. The only difference was that after I was saved I had the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:17) to be my strength against those desires of the flesh that were not pleasing to God. There are people who will tell you that now they are saved they don't sin. Good for them. I can't say that and I suspect they are just lying. I have had to ask forgiveness from God every day of my Christian life. I have said things I shouldn't have. I have thought things I shouldn't have and I have done things I shouldn't have. I'm a sinner and the evidence keeps popping up like the mole in "Whack a Mole". What we would do well to admit is without the power of God we cannot overcome this enemy within. We cannot overcome our desire to do what comes naturally. We have an un-natural God and it is His desire that we should be just as un-natural as He is and the only way we can do that is to surrender to His will for us in our lives. The only way to beat this enemy within is to surrender to the Spirit of God that is within every true Christian. (Matt. 7:21) The only thing about this power we need to understand is that God will empower us to resist temptation but it up to us to utilize this power. The Devil can't make us do anything and God will not make us do anything. He expects us to exercise our free will to either sin or resist the sin. If we choose to resist then God will be there to enable us to resist the natural urges. Paul finished his dicourse on his sin nature in chapter 7 with these words: in verses 24 and 25; "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." We as Paul can thank God that He is victorious over our sin and sin nature. We can and must depend on God for our strength to fight this enemy within. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:52:01 12/05/12 Wed I love these verses from Romans and Paul so succinctly points out the distinction between our spiritual nature and our sin nature. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." This is so true.

[> [> Subject: Connie Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:45:37 12/05/12 Wed It is so good to have you participating again. All of you add so much to a study or devotion. Your input is greatly appreciated.

[> [> Subject: I'm so glad we have YOU, Hillbilly Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:37:09 12/05/12 Wed I started reading the verses you quoted and was stymied right off the bat: "Romans 7:15-20 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." And I said, "HUH???" Then I went on ahead and read what you wrote and it all became clear. Phewww! See why we like having you around? It WAS a great study, HB. And it was helpful for me to understand a little better where Paul fits into it all. Unlike you, who consider him to be the greatest Apostle, I always felt like he was an interloper, barging in after the fact and trying to run the show. I have so much wanted to understand him and find something about him I could like and it hasn't been easy. Thank you for adding to my edification on that topic. 8-)

[> [> [> Subject: What we should understand about Paul Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:11:27 12/05/12 Wed is that God chose Paul and he wasn't an interloper at all. Paul was quite happy to be persecuting the Church and putting to death and imprisoning Christian until Christ apprehended him on the road to Damascus. God chose him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles and the Church is overwhelmingly Gentile converts. Notice his attesting to his mission in Galatians 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) God chose Peter to preach and minister to the Jews and most specifically in Jerusalem and area while He sent Paul to the Gentiles. Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Since the New Testament is overwhelmingly about the Church Paul was privileged to write 14 Books of which only one was specifically to the Hebrews. Since we are all converted Gentiles (I don't know of any Jews on this forum) we should really get to know Paul better. He only had our best interests at heart1 (grin)

[> [> [> [> Subject: Smile... I know that now... Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:39:43 12/05/12 Wed You've helped me get over the negative feelings I get from him by explaining these things to me, but his personality is not likeable. I'm trying! Keep working on me, Hillbilly. 8-)

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: I agree, Connie Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:11:53 12/08/12 Sat Hillbilly is not like any of the Born-again fundamentalists we've dealt with at the old religion forum. He is firmly convicted in his beliefs and can back it up, but he is NEVER judgmental or rude when others think differently. He calmly explains why he believes as he does and that goes a long way toward opening minds, doesn't it? And, Hillbilly, I'd hardly call you a snot-nosed Baptist... grin

[> [> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly/Dori Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:37:33 12/06/12 Thu God chose Peter to preach and minister to the Jews and most specifically in Jerusalem and area while He sent Paul to the Gentiles. He taught Peter a good lesson when he lowered that sheet full of unclean things and, of course, Paul got his comuppance on the road to Damascus. Speaking of Damascus I see it is in the news right now big time. Wonder if we'll see the fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1: "The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Dori Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:44:35 12/06/12 Thu ....but his personality is not likeable. People that are on fire for the Jesus and the gospel sometimes come across as overbearing. If you've ever met any hard-nosed Baptists you'd know what I mean.

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Hey! Now Connie Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:07:48 12/06/12 Thu Some people think I am a "hard nosed Baptist". More of a "runny nosed Baptist". (grin) Having said that I will admit that I won't back up on what I believe unless a person can show me in the Bible where I am wrong. Scripture with scripture and rightly divided of course.

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:31:50 12/07/12 Fri I don't think you're like some of the ones I met in Louisiana including my father-in-law. His way or the highway. Yikes!