Living in Freedom: The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Ongoing Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit

Every believer faces a daily inner battle between the desire to honor God and the persistent pull of the flesh toward self-centeredness and sin. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a reality of life in a fallen world, where the flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict, making us painfully aware of our need for God’s help and grace. [37:30]

Romans 7:14-25 (ESV)
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 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. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Reflection: Where do you most often notice the tug-of-war between your desire to honor God and your flesh’s impulses? What would it look like to bring that specific struggle honestly before God today?

Day 2: Freedom and Security in Christ’s Love

Nothing in all creation—no sin, no failure, no power—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus; we are more than conquerors because of His unbreakable, gracious commitment to us. This assurance means that even in our struggles and weaknesses, we can rest in the security of God’s love and the victory He has won for us. [22:59]

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel unworthy or distant from God’s love? How can you remind yourself today that nothing can separate you from His love?

Day 3: Living Out Your New Identity in Christ

The moment you trust in Christ, your position changes from sinner to royal child of God, and you are called to live out this new identity by relying on the Spirit, not your own strength, to reflect Christ’s character. This process is not about earning your status but about learning to walk in the freedom, purpose, and intimacy that have already been given to you as God’s beloved child. [44:28]

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Reflection: In what practical way can you “set your mind on things above” today, living out your true identity as a child of God rather than slipping back into old patterns?

Day 4: The Power of Surrender and Spiritual Practices

Victory over the flesh comes not by willpower but by daily surrender to Jesus, naming your battles, filling your mind with God’s Word, seeking accountability, and quickly confessing and moving forward when you stumble. These spiritual practices are not about perfection but about positioning yourself to walk in the Spirit’s power and freedom, moment by moment. [01:02:57]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Reflection: Which of the five practices—surrender, naming the battle, Scripture memory, accountability, or quick confession—do you most need to focus on this week? What is one step you can take today to put it into action?

Day 5: Walking in the Freedom Christ Has Won

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the prison door of sin has been permanently unlocked, and you are invited to step out of bondage and live in the freedom He has purchased for you—no longer a slave, but a beloved and empowered child of God. The choice each day is whether to remain in the cell or to walk in the Spirit’s freedom, trusting that Jesus has already broken the chains. [01:08:58]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Reflection: Is there a “cell” of old habits, guilt, or shame that you keep returning to, even though Christ has set you free? What would it look like to step out in faith and live in that freedom today?

Sermon Summary

Romans 7 paints a vivid picture of the daily struggle every believer faces: the war between our new identity in Christ and the stubborn, sin-bent nature of our flesh. Even after salvation, the old self doesn’t simply disappear. Like Paul, we find ourselves wanting to do what is right, yet too often doing what we hate. This “I problem” is universal—no one is immune. The law of God is good, but it acts like an MRI, revealing the deep issues within us rather than causing them. The real battle is not just physical or emotional, but spiritual, and the battlefield is our own hearts and minds.

Our position in Christ is secure and immediate—like a commoner who marries into royalty, we are instantly given a new name, family, and inheritance. Yet, learning to live out this new identity is a lifelong process. We may stumble, but our status as God’s children is never revoked. Confession restores fellowship, not our inheritance. The flesh, however, is relentless, always seeking to enslave us again, even though Christ has broken the prison door of sin forever.

Victory over the flesh is not found in self-effort or willpower. The flesh cannot defeat the flesh. Instead, deliverance is always personal before it is practical—it is found in Jesus, not in a plan or checklist. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has purchased our freedom and given us His Spirit to empower us. The daily walk of victory involves surrender, saturating our minds with God’s Word, seeking accountability, replacing temptation with truth, and quickly confessing when we fall. The door to freedom stands open; we must choose, moment by moment, to walk out of the cell and live as the royal children we already are in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Struggle with Sin Is Universal and Ongoing No matter how long we have walked with Christ, the battle between our new nature and the flesh persists. Paul’s honest confession in Romans 7 reminds us that even the most mature believers face this inner war. Admitting the struggle is not a sign of weakness, but the first step toward real spiritual growth. [34:26]
2. Our Position in Christ Is Secure, but Practice Takes Time Salvation instantly changes our status—we become God’s royal children, with all the rights and privileges that entails. However, learning to live out this identity is a process marked by both progress and setbacks. Our failures do not annul our position; rather, they are opportunities to grow into who we already are in Christ. [43:54]
3. The Law Reveals, but Only Christ Delivers God’s law is like an MRI: it exposes the true condition of our hearts but cannot heal us. The flesh is incapable of pleasing God, no matter how hard we try. Deliverance comes not from self-effort, but from the person of Jesus, who alone can rescue us from the power of sin. [49:11]
4. Victory Requires Surrender and Spiritual Practices Walking in freedom means daily surrendering to Christ, hiding His Word in our hearts, seeking support from others, and replacing temptation with truth. These practices are not about earning God’s favor, but about cooperating with the Spirit’s work in us. When we stumble, quick confession restores our fellowship and keeps us moving forward. [62:57]
5. The Door to Freedom Is Open—Choose to Walk Out Through Christ, the prison of sin is unlocked and the power of the flesh is broken. Yet, we must choose to leave the cell and live in the freedom Christ has given. This is a moment-by-moment decision, empowered by the Spirit, to live as the royal children of God rather than as slaves to the flesh. [68:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:03] - Assurance of God’s Love (Romans 8)
[23:26] - Introduction and Ministry Update
[24:26] - Five Marks Ministry Overview
[31:56] - Worship and Gratitude
[32:21] - A Personal Confession: The Real Struggle
[35:49] - Reading Romans 7:14-25
[37:30] - The War Within: Spirit vs. Flesh
[39:53] - Position vs. Practice in Salvation
[42:12] - The Royal Analogy: Living Out Our New Identity
[45:32] - Stumbling and Restoration
[47:20] - The Ongoing Battle with the Flesh
[49:11] - The Inability of the Flesh
[51:20] - Accepting and Naming the Struggle
[55:48] - The Enslaving Power of Sin
[58:46] - The Solution: Christ’s Deliverance
[62:37] - Five Steps to Walking in Victory
[68:16] - The Unlocked Prison Door
[69:32] - Invitation and Surrender
[74:38] - Announcements and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 7:14-25 (ESV) — > For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
> So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 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. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in Romans 7:14-25, what is the main struggle he describes in his own life?
In the sermon, the pastor compared God’s law to an MRI machine. What does this analogy mean about the purpose of the law? [[53:15]]
What does Paul say is the only solution to the struggle with sin and the flesh? [[01:01:33]]
How does the pastor use the story of a royal wedding to explain our new identity in Christ? [[42:12]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul, even as a mature believer and apostle, is so honest about his ongoing struggle with sin? What does this teach us about the Christian life? [[34:26]]
The sermon says, “Deliverance is always personal before it is practical—it is found in Jesus, not in a plan or checklist.” What does this mean for how we approach spiritual growth? [[01:02:18]]
The pastor said that confession restores fellowship, not our inheritance. Why is this distinction important for how we respond when we stumble? [[45:32]]
The sermon describes the flesh as a “tractor beam” that tries to pull us back into old patterns. What are some ways the world, the flesh, and the enemy work together to keep us enslaved? [[58:02]]

Application Questions

The pastor admitted his own “I problem” and said that everyone has this struggle. What is one area where you notice this battle in your own life? How does admitting the struggle help you move forward? [[34:26]]
The sermon used the analogy of a royal who sometimes acts like a commoner. Are there areas in your life where you are living more like a “commoner” than a “royal child of God”? What would it look like to live out your true identity this week? [[43:54]]
The law reveals our sin but cannot heal us. When you become aware of sin in your life, what is your usual response? Do you try to “do better” on your own, or do you turn to Jesus for help? [[53:15]]
The pastor gave five practical steps for walking in victory: daily surrender, hiding God’s Word in your heart, seeking accountability, replacing temptation with truth, and quick confession. Which of these do you find most challenging? What is one step you can take this week to grow in that area? [[01:02:57]]
The sermon said the prison door of sin is unlocked, but we have to choose to walk out. Is there a “cell” you keep returning to, even though Christ has set you free? What would it look like to walk out in freedom, practically speaking? [[01:08:16]]
When you stumble, do you tend to hide, make excuses, or try to “earn” your way back to God? How can you practice quick confession and receive God’s forgiveness instead? [[01:07:01]]
The pastor encouraged the group to “fight for the altar” in their lives and families. What is one way you can make space for surrender and prayer in your daily or weekly routine? [[01:11:32]]

Sermon Clips

In so many ways we come to Jesus as common sinners, empty handed, needy. And yet because of God's gift of grace, when we by faith receive it immediately, our position changes. It's not gradual, it's immediate. We are given a new name, a new family, a new home, a new access, a new inheritance. And never again will you be seen by God as a common sinner. You're given a new wardrobe that you're to put on in Christ. You're given a new purpose in life and you're to live like a king's kid. [00:44:00] (37 seconds) #NewIdentityInChrist

Because as long as I live in this world and live in this flesh. I want to do what God wants me to do. But sometimes I do what I want to do. But here's the beauty of it. Even though stumbles will come, they call for coaching, not for disowning. And confession restores fellowship. It doesn't revoke our inheritance as we are growing into who we already are, which is king's kids. Isn't that awesome? [00:45:23] (31 seconds) #ConfessionRestoresFellowship

No matter how much your flesh wants to sin, you no longer have to give in to that if you're a child of God. Why? Because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. So you don't have to give into the temptation, but you do need to be aware that your flesh is going to lock in on temptation. It's going to lock in on sin and want to do it. [00:58:40] (22 seconds) #GreaterInYouThanInWorld

The solution to dealing with your flesh is not doubling down with your flesh and say, I'm going to do better next time. Next time that temptation comes, I'm going to avoid it. Why? Because you're in a spiritual battle. And when the flesh tries to fight flesh, you lose. That's what Paul's trying to help us understand. You're not going to win over your flesh. In fact, what I've learned in my life is that when I try to fight my flesh with my flesh, it usually tightens the temptation, not loosen it. [00:59:26] (44 seconds) #FleshVsFleshIsDefeat

Deliverance is always personal before it's practical. And it's always a person, not a plan. Jesus lived the life we couldn't live. He died the death our sins deserved. He arose to break sin's penalty and power. And he has given us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. To give us victory over the flesh today. Hallelujah. [01:02:10] (27 seconds) #JesusVictoryOverFlesh

Don't just sit there and say, I'm going to say no to sin. I'm going to say no to sin. I'm going to say no to get up, go plug in. Worship. Go get to the scripture. Replace the temptation with truth. Replace it with truth. Worship, pray, do something, but don't sit there and deal with sin. In other words, don't tempt temptation. [01:06:16] (23 seconds) #ReplaceTemptationWithTruth

If you slip, if you stumble, quickly confess and keep walking when you fall. And there will be times that you will confess. Specifically, the scripture says if you confess your sin, he's faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Receive this forgiveness and begin walking with Jesus immediately. [01:06:42] (26 seconds) #ConfessAndKeepWalking

Our nature is to bring penance when we think that we have done something wrong because we want to earn God's forgiveness. God does not accept penance. He only accepts repentance. Repentance just means you come and confess it. You ask for forgiveness. Once you receive that forgiveness, you make the about turn and you go the direction God wants you you to go. [01:07:10] (29 seconds) #RepentanceNotPenance

``The moment that you receive Christ your Savior. The prison cell of sin was unlocked. And the lock wasn't just unlocked, it was broken to never be able to lock again. And so now you have a choice. You can live in the cell even though the door's been unlocked, or you can walk out of the cell in the freedom that's been given to you. It was for freedom that Christ set you free. Therefore, keep standing firm and do not go back to that yoke of slavery, to that cell of slavery. [01:08:23] (47 seconds) #FreedomFromSinUnlocked

This is the battle we all face, every one of us, every day. Am I going to live in my flesh in prison? Or am I going to walk in the spirit in freedom? And you and me, we have to make that decision moment by moment, day by day. You have everything you need in Jesus to walk in freedom. [01:09:11] (27 seconds) #ChooseSpiritOverFleshDaily

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?