“For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” (Romans 7:22–23, ESV)
In 1969, when I entered college, I applied for and later received a scholarship from the United States Army. This was during the time of the Vietnam war and it meant that I would likely have to serve in a combat arms branch of the service in that conflict. Fortunately, by the time I received my commission in 1974, our involvement in Vietnam was nearly over. However, when a soldier goes to war, he is in a life and death struggle.
Paul likens the struggle between the mind and the flesh, to a war. He has indicated that he delights in the law and has purposed in his mind to be obedient to it. However, he still has a sin nature that tugs at his body to indulge in sin. He does not want to give in, but he is caught in this conflict. He finds himself fighting in it, but often does the very thing he does not want to do.
We, as believers must understand that we are also caught up in this war. It is a war between our mind that wants to do good, and a nature that is provoking our fleshly appetites to evil. We who are believers, have been thrown into this war, and must learn how to fight in it. Yet, there is only one way we can be victorious. Paul cries out, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” He then answers the question himself. “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25, ESV). Jesus is our deliverer. It is only in Him that we will have the victory. We must endeavor to resist the sinful desires of the flesh and walk in close relationship with Jesus Christ.
PS. Sorry about getting this post out late yesterday and today. Internet yesterday and other things interrupted me for today’s post.
Renewing the Heart 