Engaging in the Spiritual Battle Within

 

Summary

In this sermon, I was reminded of the spiritual battle that we as Christians are constantly engaged in. The speaker emphasized that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual principalities. This battle is not against our family, friends, or colleagues, but against the devil. The speaker also highlighted the importance of acknowledging this fight and not becoming complacent in our spiritual journey. He referenced Paul the Apostle's words in 2 Timothy 4:5, encouraging us to fight the good fight and finish the race faithfully.

The speaker also discussed the struggle between our old and new natures as Christians. He used the analogy of two dogs fighting within us, representing our old sinful nature and our new nature in Christ. The dog that wins is the one we feed the most. He emphasized that willpower alone is not enough to defeat our old nature, and that we need a deeper commitment and understanding of Jesus Christ. He also warned against self-deception and making excuses for our sins, urging us to be truthful with ourselves and others about our struggles.

Key Takeaways:
- We are in a spiritual battle against the devil, not against flesh and blood. It's important to acknowledge this fight and not become complacent in our spiritual journey ([34:02]).
- The struggle between our old sinful nature and our new nature in Christ is like two dogs fighting within us. The one we feed the most will win ([26:19]).
- Willpower alone is not enough to defeat our old nature. We need a deeper commitment and understanding of Jesus Christ ([28:56]).
- We must avoid self-deception and making excuses for our sins. It's important to be truthful with ourselves and others about our struggles ([37:27]).
- We must admit our struggles to someone else, exposing the lies we've been believing and allowing Jesus to set us free ([39:46]).

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans Chapter 7 - #!!27:40!!#
2. Romans Chapter 8 - #!!28:22!!#
3. 1 John Chapter 1:8 - #!!35:34!!#

Observation Questions:
1. In Romans Chapter 7, what is the struggle that the believer is facing?
2. How does Romans Chapter 8 depict the victorious Christian?
3. What does 1 John Chapter 1:8 say about self-deception and sin?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the struggle in Romans Chapter 7 relate to the concept of the old nature and the new nature?
2. What does the victory in Romans Chapter 8 tell us about the power of Christ in overcoming our sinful nature?
3. How does 1 John Chapter 1:8 challenge our understanding of sin and self-deception?

Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time when you felt like you were in a struggle similar to the one described in Romans Chapter 7? How did you respond?
2. What is one way you can deepen your relationship with Christ this week to experience the victory described in Romans Chapter 8?
3. Reflect on 1 John Chapter 1:8. Are there any lies or self-deceptions you've been believing that you need to confront and evict from your life?
4. Can you think of a specific habit or pattern in your life that you need to break free from? How can you apply the teachings from these passages to overcome it?
5. How can you use these teachings to better understand and respond to the spiritual war happening within you?

Devotional

Day 1: The Battle Within

We often find ourselves in a spiritual war, fighting against the world, our old nature, and the devil. However, the most challenging battle is often the one within ourselves. We can be our own biggest enemy, sabotaging our spiritual growth and relationship with God. This internal struggle is a constant part of our spiritual journey, and recognizing it is the first step towards victory ([05:09]).

Romans 7:15 - "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Reflection: Reflect on the internal battles you've been fighting recently. How have they affected your relationship with God and others?

Day 2: The Power of Truth

The enemy often uses lies to keep us in bondage. However, when we expose and evict these lies, we find freedom. We must challenge the lies we've been believing and replace them with the truth of God's word. Remember, a lie exposed is a lie defeated ([34:46]).

John 8:32 - "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Reflection: What lies have you been believing that need to be exposed and replaced with God's truth?

Day 3: The Consequences of Sin

Sin may seem pleasurable in the short term, but it always comes with consequences. Our personal sins affect not only us but also those around us. Recognizing the destructive nature of sin can help us make better choices and live in a way that honors God ([20:08]).

Galatians 6:7-8 - "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you faced the consequences of sin. How did it affect you and those around you?

Day 4: Overcoming Self-Condemnation

We often condemn ourselves when we fail or make mistakes. This self-condemnation can hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with God. Instead of dwelling on our failures, we should remember God's grace and forgiveness ([21:54]).

Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How has self-condemnation affected your spiritual journey? How can you replace self-condemnation with God's grace and forgiveness?

Day 5: Feeding the New Nature

We all have two natures within us - the old sinful nature and the new nature in Christ. The one that dominates is the one we feed the most. To grow spiritually, we must starve the old nature and feed the new nature with God's word and presence ([27:00]).

Galatians 5:16 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to starve your old nature and feed your new nature in Christ?

Quotes

1. "It's like two dogs in my mind they're battling together they're the good dog and they're the bad dog and they're fighting it out. The young son said which dad wins he said whichever dog that you feed the most. So who are you feeding the most the old nature or the new nature? What do you feed the most that's the dog that's going to win." - 26:19

2. "Romans chapter 7 is really if you want to know the truth is the picture of a struggling believer. Romans chapter 7 is the believer that is facing exhaustion that is facing a battle then Paul goes into the Cure and it's really found in Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8 is the Christian that is Victorious." - 28:22

3. "Many times when we think that God is restricting us he's actually protecting us. A lot of the boundaries in your life you know Christianity has boundaries that we say well it's either boundaries but in actuality they're guard rails to keep you safe on the road." - 28:56

4. "Sin is fun. Don't look at me holy if sin isn't fun then you guys don't know how to do it. I'm just gonna be honest with you sin is fun it is. The Bible says it is fun and we just have to admit it here. The Bible says Hebrews says there is pleasure in sin for for a short time. Sin is pleasurable for a season." - 19:29

5. "We need to stop judging people and look at yourself. You have some issues too. We're trying we're trying to figure out everybody else's motive. Let's just be honest you can't even figure out your own motive." - 15:39

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Transcript
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