Overcoming the Struggle: Victory Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of the Struggle

Even after a genuine conversion experience, Christians continue to face a daily battle against sin. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a natural part of our spiritual journey. Paul’s admission in Romans 7:19 that he often did what he did not want to do serves as a powerful reminder that we are all in this battle together. [03:55]

Romans 7:19-20 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can you remind yourself that this struggle is a normal part of your spiritual journey and not a sign of failure?

Day 2: Transformation Through Christ

Paul's life transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a leading apostle demonstrates the power of God's grace. His story encourages us that no matter our past, we can be radically changed by Jesus. However, even after such a transformation, the struggle with sin continues, emphasizing the need for ongoing reliance on Christ. [05:44]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life through Christ. How can you continue to rely on Him in your ongoing struggles with sin?

Day 3: The Importance of Prayer and Resistance

To win the tug of war against sin, we must be diligent in prayer and actively resist temptation. Prayer strengthens our spiritual resolve, while resistance requires effort and discipline. Ephesians 4:21-27 calls us to throw off our old sinful nature and embrace our new life in Christ. [31:03]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you face regularly. How can you incorporate prayer and practical steps to resist this temptation in your daily life?

Day 4: Seeking Help and Community

Sometimes, overcoming our struggles requires seeking help from others. Whether it's a counselor, a Christian friend, or a pastor, having a support system can make a significant difference. Surrounding ourselves with the right people can help us stay on the right path and win the battle against sin. [36:03]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who can support you in your spiritual journey. How can you reach out to them for help and accountability this week?

Day 5: Living for Others

Our actions and choices impact those around us. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 that while we may have the liberty to do certain things, not everything is beneficial. We must consider how our actions affect others and strive to live in a way that supports and uplifts our fellow believers. [21:22]

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (ESV): "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did it impact those around you? What can you do to ensure your future actions are beneficial and uplifting to others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound struggle that every believer faces: the tug of war between our spiritual desires and our sinful nature. Drawing from Romans 7, we explored the Apostle Paul's candid admission of his own struggles with sin, even after his conversion and years of ministry. Paul’s transparency serves as a reminder that even the most devout Christians are not immune to the daily battle against sin. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a testament to our humanity and the ongoing process of sanctification.

Paul's life, both before and after his conversion, illustrates the transformative power of Christ. Before his encounter with Jesus, Paul, then known as Saul, was a persecutor of Christians. His radical transformation into a leading apostle underscores the power of God's grace. Yet, even after his conversion, Paul admitted to struggling with sin, highlighting that the battle against our sinful nature is ongoing.

We also discussed the importance of recognizing that this struggle is a normal part of the Christian journey. The key is not to be disheartened but to understand that victory is possible through Christ. We must pray for strength, resist temptation, and seek help when needed. The tug of war is real, but with Jesus, we can overcome.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 27 calls us to throw off our old sinful nature and embrace our new life in Christ. [31:03]
4. Seeking Help and Community: Sometimes, overcoming our struggles requires seeking help from others. Whether it's a counselor, a Christian friend, or a pastor, having a support system can make a significant difference. Surrounding ourselves with the right people can help us stay on the right path and win the battle against sin.

5. Living for Others: Our actions and choices impact those around us. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 that while we may have the liberty to do certain things, not everything is beneficial. We must consider how our actions affect others and strive to live in a way that supports and uplifts our fellow believers.

### [31:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Introduction to Romans 7
[01:45] - Paul's Struggle with Sin
[02:34] - The Principle of Life
[03:14] - The Answer in Jesus Christ
[03:55] - Relating to Paul's Struggle
[04:31] - Paul's Conversion and Mission
[05:10] - Paul's Past as Saul
[06:13] - Paul's Struggle Post-Conversion
[07:25] - The Tug of War in Christian Life
[10:08] - Personal Testimony of Struggle
[12:21] - The Tug of War Demonstration
[14:04] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
[17:18] - The Danger of Christian Liberty
[20:19] - Living at a Higher Level
[24:05] - Responsibility to Others
[28:38] - The Ongoing Struggle
[31:03] - Steps to Win the Tug of War
[36:03] - Seeking Help
[39:08] - The X Factor: Jesus
[41:57] - Altar Call and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 7:19, what does Paul admit about his actions and desires? How does this reflect the struggle he describes? [03:55]
In Ephesians 4:21-27, what are believers instructed to do with their old sinful nature? What new behaviors are they encouraged to adopt?
How does 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 address the concept of Christian liberty and its impact on others?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul describe his struggle with sin in such a personal and transparent way in Romans 7? How does this help us understand our own struggles? [06:46]
What does it mean to "throw off your old sinful nature" as described in Ephesians 4:22? How can this be practically applied in daily life?
How does the principle of considering the good of others in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 challenge our personal freedoms and choices? [21:22]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt the "tug of war" between your spiritual desires and sinful nature. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time? [07:25]
Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer and resistance in overcoming sin. What specific steps can you take to strengthen your prayer life and resist temptation more effectively? [31:03]
The sermon mentioned the importance of seeking help from others. Who in your life can you turn to for support in your spiritual journey, and how can you build a stronger support system? [36:03]
Consider the concept of Christian liberty discussed in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24. Are there any areas in your life where your actions might be a stumbling block to others? How can you adjust your behavior to better support those around you? [21:22]
The sermon highlighted the ongoing nature of the struggle with sin. How can you maintain a balanced perspective that acknowledges this struggle without becoming discouraged? [06:46]
Think about the small, seemingly insignificant habits or attitudes that might be hindering your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to address these "little things" and align your life more closely with Christ's teachings? [25:58]
How can you live in a way that not only avoids sin but also actively uplifts and supports your fellow believers? What practical actions can you take this week to encourage someone in their faith journey? [21:22]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Thank God. Everybody say, thank God. The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah. So you see how it is. Everybody say, this is how it is. In my mind, I want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature, I am a slave to sin." [03:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Thank God, when I became a Christian at the age of 16, my life changed. Come on, kids. Anybody else testify? Amen? Folks, when I got saved, I got radically saved. I didn't just become a believer by professing my faith in Christ. God filled me full of the power of the Holy Ghost and it changed my life." [09:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you pray, if you resist, and if you're humble enough and honest enough to get help when you need it, you can win the tug of war. Hallelujah. Because, guess what? There is an X factor that we have. There is an X factor that makes this an unfair competition. Greater is He that is in me he that is in the world. Me and Jesus make a majority every single time." [39:08] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Ask the Lord to give you strength when you're faced with temptation. Right there in that very moment. Look at her. Woo, help me, Jesus. Right now. Help me, Jesus. Here comes that temptation, that struggle. Lord, I need you right now. Sometimes, you know, you got to pray and you just got to walk away. You need to be wise enough to know what your weaknesses are, what your strengths are." [31:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You are not a fool. Paul wasn't. You are not a bad person. Paul wasn't. You are not a hypocrite. Paul wasn't. You're somebody that loves Jesus that sometimes has a bad day. But today, you know what we're going to do? We're going to come to this altar and some of you, the Holy Ghost is already talking to you about some commitments that He wants you to make to get out of the gray and get into the black and white." [40:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Paul was very much aware of something that we need to be reminded of today. And that is that even after becoming a Christian, hear me, it is not always easy to make the right choices. And if you can identify with that statement, I want to help you here today. Because even after having a very real conversion experience, we must recognize you are still flesh and blood. You are still part of fallen humanity." [07:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The sinful nature wants to do evil. Go by, there he is. Which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. Amen? And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. Amen? These two forces, look at what the Bible says. These two forces are what? Constantly fighting each other. Constantly fighting each other. Constantly fighting each other. Constantly fighting each other. You're not a failure. You're not a backslider. You're not a hypocrite. You know what you are? You're a human being who loves Jesus and you're in the battle of your life every day." [14:39] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Some of the things that we're trying to make excuses for in our lives, Paul says, guess what? Just because you can do them does not mean that you should do them. So we've got the issue of personal sanctity, personal holiness, personal separation that ought to cause us to want to live at a higher level. But hear me, if that's not a good enough reason for you, guess what? There's another reason why Paul calls us to a higher level." [20:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Sometimes, hear me, the big things are not the big things in your life. Sometimes, you know what we do? We think that the little things are going to be okay and they're going to accommodate us. Come here, Mika. She's the most saved little thing I know right now. Amen? Come on up here. Y'all look at her shirt. Turn around and let them see. I love my husband. That's her husband. See, but sometimes as believers, we think we're all that. We've gotten so strong. We've gotten so holy. We've been doing this. We've been doing this long enough. The little things, get on in there and grab that rope, little thing." [25:35] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Apostle Paul said, I don't understand why I'm this way, but yet he understands. He understood. He had a spiritual side, and he had a sinful nature. He convinced us that the battle was natural and normal, but you know what the enemy tries to do? The enemy will jump on you. I want to help you right now. When you struggle, he'll tell you that if you really love Jesus, you wouldn't be dealing with this stuff." [29:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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