Scripture to Read: Romans 7:15–16
In Romans 7 this week, God will be showing us the battle that wages within every soul. For every Christian on the face of the earth, the battle is between our flesh and the Holy Spirit who lives in us (Galatians 5:16–17). For those still separated from Christ and lost in their sin, the god of this world is battling to keep the lost blinded from the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Of course, God, through His Holy Spirit, is also continually convicting every lost soul concerning their sin and their need for His righteousness through Christ (John 16:8–11). God had Paul write, in Romans 7:15–16, For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. We immediately recognize the battle that wages in Paul’s soul. Some argue that Paul is describing what he was like without Christ, while others say that Paul is describing the battle between his flesh and the Holy Spirit in him. Either way, the battle is very real. One of the points that we do not need to miss is that when we choose to sin, we agree with God’s Law, for God’s Law reveals our sin, showing that God’s Law is perfect and good. As Christians, we can overcome, and we’ll talk more about overcoming this week.
Challenge & Application
What did God teach you today about the battles we face as Christians and even the battles lost people are in?
How are you currently overcoming the battles between your flesh and the Holy Spirit in you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!