Overcoming Inner Struggles Through Christ's Strength
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves caught in a struggle between our desires to do what is right and the reality of our human limitations. This internal battle is vividly described by Paul in Romans 7, where he outlines the emotional consequences of trying to live a righteous life through our own strength. The first consequence is confusion, as we often find ourselves perplexed by our actions, doing what we hate instead of what we desire. This confusion is compounded by guilt and shame, which arise when we knowingly act against our conscience.
Paul illustrates how these struggles can lead to compulsions and addictions, as repeated actions become ingrained habits that are difficult to break. This cycle of behavior often results in self-condemnation, where we harshly judge ourselves for our failures, leading to frustration and a sense of defeat. The law of sin, much like the law of gravity, pulls us down, making it easier to succumb to temptation than to rise above it.
However, there is hope. The battle within us is not without purpose or solution. We have two natures: the old nature, which inclines us toward sin, and the new nature, given to us through Christ, which desires righteousness. The key to overcoming this struggle lies in deepening our understanding of Christ and allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives. It is not enough for Christ to merely reside in us; He must preside over us, guiding our actions and decisions.
As we prepare to delve into Romans 8 next week, which speaks of the victorious Christian life, let us begin by acknowledging our need for Christ's strength and guidance. By surrendering to His leadership, we can start to win the battle within and experience the freedom and victory that comes from living under His management.
Key Takeaways:
1. Confusion in Self-Understanding: Our struggle with sin often leads to confusion, as we find ourselves doing what we hate instead of what we desire. This confusion is a common experience, even for mature believers like Paul, reminding us that it's okay not to have all the answers. Recognizing this confusion is the first step toward seeking God's guidance. [00:25]
2. Guilt and Shame: When we act against our conscience, we experience guilt and shame. These emotions are not God's desire for us but are the result of relying on our own strength to fight spiritual battles. Understanding the origin of our conscience can help us seek God's forgiveness and strength. [03:05]
3. Compulsions and Addictions: Repeated sinful actions can become compulsions or addictions, making them difficult to break. Acknowledging the power of sin within us is crucial, but we must also recognize that through Christ, we have the power to overcome these habits. [05:43]
4. Self-Condemnation and Frustration: Constant failure in our spiritual battles can lead to self-condemnation and frustration. It's important to remember that our worth is not determined by our failures but by God's love and grace. Embracing this truth can help us move past self-condemnation. [09:03]
5. The Battle of Two Natures: We have an old nature inclined toward sin and a new nature given by Christ. The battle between these natures is ongoing, but by feeding our new nature through deepening our understanding of Christ, we can experience victory. [19:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Emotional Consequences of Self-Reliance
- [00:25] - Confusion in Self-Understanding
- [02:06] - The "I" Problem
- [03:05] - Guilt and Shame
- [05:43] - Compulsions and Addictions
- [09:03] - Self-Condemnation
- [10:15] - Frustration and the Law of Sin
- [13:07] - The Invisible War Study Kit
- [14:10] - Frog and Toad: A Lesson on Willpower
- [18:01] - Discouragement and Despair
- [19:06] - The Battle of Two Natures
- [21:41] - Willpower is Not Enough
- [23:16] - God's Battle Plan for Victory
- [25:44] - Deepening Understanding of Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 7:15-25
- Romans 8:1-2
- Hebrews 11:25
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#### Observation Questions
1. In Romans 7:15, Paul expresses confusion about his actions. What does he say about his struggle with doing what he hates instead of what he desires? [00:25]
2. How does Paul describe the role of conscience in Romans 7:16, and what does this reveal about his understanding of guilt and shame? [03:05]
3. According to the sermon, what are the emotional consequences of trying to live a righteous life through one's own strength? [00:12]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to explain the law of sin and its effect on our spiritual lives? [11:09]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul’s struggle in Romans 7:15-25 reflect the internal battle between the old and new natures within a believer? [19:06]
2. What does the pastor mean when he says that having Christ in us is not enough, and that He must preside over us? How does this relate to Romans 8:1-2? [24:47]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that compulsions and addictions develop, and how can understanding this help in overcoming them? [05:43]
4. How does the story of Frog and Toad illustrate the concept of willpower in the context of spiritual battles? [14:10]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt confused about your actions, similar to Paul in Romans 7:15. How did you seek clarity and guidance during that time? [00:25]
2. When you experience guilt and shame, how do you typically respond? What steps can you take to seek God’s forgiveness and strength instead of relying on your own willpower? [03:05]
3. Identify a habit or compulsion in your life that you struggle with. What practical steps can you take this week to begin overcoming it through Christ’s power? [05:43]
4. How do you typically respond to self-condemnation and frustration in your spiritual journey? What truths about God’s love and grace can you remind yourself of to combat these feelings? [09:03]
5. Consider the two natures within you, as described in Romans 7:21-23. What are some ways you can feed your new nature and starve the old one this week? [19:06]
6. The pastor mentioned that willpower alone is not enough to overcome sin. What role does community play in supporting you in your spiritual battles, and how can you engage more with your community this week? [21:41]
7. As you prepare to delve into Romans 8, what specific area of your life do you need to surrender to Christ’s leadership? How can you take a step towards doing that this week? [25:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Confusion as a Path to Clarity
In our spiritual journey, confusion often arises when we find ourselves acting contrary to our desires and values. This internal conflict is a common experience, even for mature believers like Paul, who openly shared his struggles in Romans 7. Recognizing this confusion is crucial, as it is the first step toward seeking divine guidance. When we acknowledge our limitations and the perplexity of our actions, we open ourselves to God's wisdom and direction. This process requires humility and a willingness to admit that we do not have all the answers. By doing so, we can begin to understand the deeper workings of our hearts and align our actions with our true desires. [00:25]
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you acted against your values. How can you invite God into your confusion to gain clarity and direction today?
Day 2: Transforming Guilt and Shame into Growth
Guilt and shame are powerful emotions that arise when we act against our conscience. These feelings are not what God desires for us; rather, they are the result of relying on our own strength to fight spiritual battles. Understanding the origin of our conscience and the role it plays in our lives can help us seek God's forgiveness and strength. By acknowledging our shortcomings and turning to God, we can transform guilt and shame into opportunities for growth and healing. This process involves accepting God's grace and allowing it to reshape our understanding of ourselves and our actions. [03:05]
"For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific area where you feel guilt or shame. How can you seek God's forgiveness and allow His grace to transform this area of your life today?
Day 3: Breaking Free from Compulsions and Addictions
Compulsions and addictions often develop from repeated sinful actions, becoming ingrained habits that are difficult to break. Acknowledging the power of sin within us is crucial, but it is equally important to recognize that through Christ, we have the power to overcome these habits. This requires a conscious effort to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own. By deepening our relationship with Him and allowing His presence to guide us, we can break free from the chains of addiction and experience true freedom. This journey involves patience, perseverance, and a commitment to spiritual growth. [05:43]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one habit or compulsion you struggle with? How can you invite Christ's power into this area to begin breaking free today?
Day 4: Overcoming Self-Condemnation with God's Grace
Constant failure in our spiritual battles can lead to self-condemnation and frustration. It is important to remember that our worth is not determined by our failures but by God's love and grace. Embracing this truth can help us move past self-condemnation and into a place of healing and acceptance. By focusing on God's grace, we can shift our perspective from one of judgment to one of compassion and understanding. This shift allows us to see ourselves through God's eyes and to extend the same grace to ourselves that He offers us. [09:03]
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure that led to self-condemnation. How can you embrace God's grace and view yourself through His eyes today?
Day 5: Nurturing the New Nature for Victory
The battle between our old nature, inclined toward sin, and the new nature given by Christ is ongoing. By feeding our new nature through deepening our understanding of Christ, we can experience victory in this internal struggle. This involves allowing Christ to preside over our lives, guiding our actions and decisions. As we surrender to His leadership, we begin to win the battle within and experience the freedom and victory that comes from living under His management. This process requires intentionality and a commitment to spiritual growth and transformation. [19:06]
"Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to nurture your new nature in Christ and experience victory in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
I don't understand myself I don't understand myself at all for I really want to do what is right but I can't I do what I don't want to I do what I hate now before we even get into this I want you to Circle all of the eyes in this verse I don't understand myself for I really want to do what is right but I can't I do what I don't want to what I hate he's saying something's wrong with me. [00:29:45]
I know perfectly well what I'm doing is wrong and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking what's he saying he goes I know what I'm doing is wrong and you do too when you do it and you know it's wrong and then you get a bad conscience circle the word conscience you know where that word comes from it's a Latin word it it comes from the word con which means with in Latin and science or scienta in Latin which means knowledge conscience means you do something with full knowledge that what you're doing is wrong. [03:15:48]
If I do these bad things enough they just I get addicted to them said but I can't help myself because I'm no longer doing it it's sin inside me that's stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things he says you know I got great intentions but I just can't seem to to pull it off nothing nothing changes you see we because we're built with a human nature and that's a fallen nature there's sin in it which means we have a natural inclination to do the wrong thing. [06:11:12]
I know I'm rotten inside as far as my old sinful nature is concerned now who told him that he's telling himself that he's said I I'm he's putting himself down he's condemning himself and that is a mark of when you have habitual areas that you keep falling in over and over I want to keep how many resolutions have you made that you didn't keep a lot and then you start putting yourself down and there do the self- condemnation. [09:40:32]
No matter which way I turn I can't make myself do right I want to but I can't when I want to do good I don't and when I try not to do wrong I do it anyway now if I'm doing what I don't want to do it's plain where the trouble is sin has me in its evil grasp now the Bible calls this the law of sin and the law of sin is the spiritual counterpart to the physical law of gravity they both pull you down. [10:26:40]
The reason is I have two Natures you actually have two Natures inside of you you have your old nature which you were born with and you have the new nature that was given to you when you trusted in Christ when you were born again when you became a Believer and this new nature wants to do the right thing but you still have the old nature inside of you and these two Natures are in constant conflict with each other and that's the cause of the battle. [19:06:40]
I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned but there's something else deep within me my lower nature that's my old nature the Bible often calls it My Flesh or it calls it my carnal self it calls it the old man these are synonyms for the old nature there's something else deep within me my lower nature that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [19:44:48]
Willpower is not enough to defeat your old nature and if you think that you can change simply by wanting to change or by learning about change it ain't going to happen it'll happen for a little while but then you're going to get tired and you're going to stop flapping no knowing what to do is not enough to change you if it was I would never have to repeat a sermon topic you'd get it you'd change in that area and then we'd just go on to something else. [21:41:12]
My new life tells me to do right but my old nature that's still inside me loves to sin oh what a terrible predicament I'm in circle that phrase terrible predicament in in the original Greek it literally means the exhaustion of hard work it means being worn out after an intense battle it means you're out of energy you're wiped out you're fatigued you're frustrated you feel like a failure Paul's Cry of Agony says I need relief I need help now this is not a pretty picture. [22:23:20]
Having Christ in you is not enough he doesn't just want to be resident in your life he wants to be president in your life he he doesn't want to just take up space he wants to be in charge he wants to be the Lord of your life what does that mean Lord it means he's the CEO he's the boss he's calling the shots he's he's the chairman of the board he wants you to put a sign over you that says Under New Management that's what it means to have Jesus as the president of your life. [24:54:48]
I must deepen my understanding of Christ now you already know Christ it's you got to deepen your understanding of Christ and what he did for you on the cross now we're not talking about being an unbeliever here you're you're a Believer Paul is a Believer here Jesus is already in you in fact that's why you have this battle if you weren't a Christian you wouldn't have this battle why because you'd only have one nature and if you only got one nature your old nature you just go ahead and do whatever you please and do the wrong thing and you don't even care about it. [25:44:32]
The first thing I need to do God's battle plan for winning the battle inside me is I must deepen my understanding of Christ now you already know Christ it's you got to deepen your understanding of Christ and what he did for you on the cross now we're not talking about being an unbeliever here you're you're a Believer Paul is a Believer here Jesus is already in you in fact that's why you have this battle if you weren't a Christian you wouldn't have this battle why because you'd only have one nature and if you only got one nature your old nature you just go ahead and do whatever you please and do the wrong thing and you don't even care about it. [25:44:32]
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