Struggling with Dual Nature: Victory Through Christ

In Romans 7:23, we encounter the profound struggle within every believer—a dual nature that wages war within us. This internal conflict is a mystery, a paradox that even the most devout Christian cannot fully comprehend. As believers, we are two men in one: the old nature, born of the flesh, and the new nature, born of the Spirit. This duality is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality, a daily battle between the law of the mind and the law of sin.

The old nature, rooted in our flesh, is not something that can be gradually improved or sanctified. It is inherently opposed to God and must be crucified with Christ. It resides in our bodily appetites, which, though necessary, can easily lead us into sin. The new nature, however, is a divine seed, incorruptible and heavenward in its desires. It is this new nature that ultimately will triumph, but not without a fierce and ongoing struggle.

This conflict manifests in three stages of the Christian life: comfort, conflict, and contemplation. Initially, new believers experience joy and peace, but soon they must engage in spiritual warfare. The old nature resists the new, leading to a lifelong battle. Yet, this struggle is a sign of spiritual life. The ungodly know no such conflict; they sin without remorse. But for the believer, sin is a source of deep sorrow and captivity.

Captivity occurs when the old nature rises within us, tempting us with thoughts and desires we despise. Even when we resist, the very presence of temptation feels like bondage. Our joy is often stolen by these internal battles, and we find ourselves longing for the purity and peace that sin disrupts. Yet, in these moments of weakness, we are driven to Christ, our source of victory. It is at the foot of the cross that we find strength to overcome, for Jesus came to save sinners.

In this lifelong war, we must continually return to Christ, clinging to Him for deliverance. Our struggles remind us of our need for His grace and power. As we grow in faith, we discover more of Christ's sufficiency, even as we become more aware of our own weaknesses. Though the conflict is fierce, we can confidently expect victory, for Christ has already triumphed over sin and death. Let us, therefore, press on, assured that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Dual Nature of Believers: Every Christian experiences an internal conflict between the old nature, rooted in sin, and the new nature, born of the Spirit. This duality is a mystery and a paradox, yet it is a sign of spiritual life. The struggle is real, but the ultimate victory belongs to the new, spiritual life. [01:23]
• 2. Stages of the Christian Life: The Christian journey often progresses through stages of comfort, conflict, and contemplation. Initially, believers experience joy, but soon they must engage in spiritual warfare. This conflict is a necessary part of growth, leading ultimately to a deeper understanding of God's goodness. [09:31]
• 3. The Reality of Captivity: Even as believers, we can feel captive to sin when the old nature rises within us. Temptation itself can feel like bondage, and our joy is often stolen by these internal battles. Yet, this captivity drives us to Christ, our source of strength and deliverance. [17:38]
• 4. The Importance of Returning to Christ: In moments of weakness and struggle, we must return to the foot of the cross, where we find strength and victory. Jesus came to save sinners, and it is in Him that we find the power to overcome sin and despair. [25:54]
• 5. Confident Expectation of Victory: Though the conflict is fierce, we can confidently expect victory because Christ has already triumphed over sin and death. As we grow in faith, we discover more of Christ's sufficiency, even as we become more aware of our own weaknesses. [31:21]
  ** [31:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:10] - Introduction to the Dual Nature
• [00:30] - The Mystery of Godliness
• [01:06] - Two Men in One
• [01:39] - Surprises in the Christian Life
• [02:24] - Two Principles in Believers
• [03:02] - The Old and New Nature
• [03:56] - The Struggle with Sinful Appetites
• [05:00] - Misconceptions of Perfection
• [06:36] - The Incorruptible Seed
• [08:22] - The Necessity of Conflict
• [09:31] - Stages of Christian Life
• [11:57] - The Reason for the Fight
• [17:38] - Captivity to Sin
• [25:54] - Victory Through Christ
• [31:21] - Confident Expectation of Victory

1. In Romans 7:23, what are the two laws that Paul describes as being in conflict within a believer? How does this relate to the concept of dual nature discussed in the sermon? [00:10]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three stages of the Christian life, and how do they reflect the internal struggle between the old and new natures? [09:31]
3. How does the sermon describe the experience of captivity to sin for a believer, and what role does this play in driving them to Christ? [17:38]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate source of victory over sin and internal conflict for believers? [25:54]

1. How does the dual nature of believers, as described in Romans 7:23, impact their daily lives and spiritual growth? What does this reveal about the nature of sin and grace? [00:10]
2. The sermon outlines a progression from comfort to conflict to contemplation in the Christian life. How might this progression help believers understand their spiritual journey and the challenges they face? [09:31]
3. In what ways does the experience of feeling captive to sin, as described in the sermon, highlight the believer's dependence on Christ for deliverance? [17:38]
4. The sermon emphasizes returning to Christ for strength and victory. How does this practice shape a believer's relationship with God and their approach to overcoming sin? [25:54]

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the internal conflict between your old and new natures. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to align more with your new nature? [00:10]
2. Consider the stage of the Christian life you currently identify with: comfort, conflict, or contemplation. How can you embrace the challenges and opportunities of this stage to grow in your faith? [09:31]
3. When have you experienced a sense of captivity to sin, even when resisting temptation? How did this experience drive you to seek Christ's strength and deliverance? [17:38]
4. The sermon encourages believers to return to the foot of the cross in moments of weakness. What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your spiritual practice? [25:54]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can you apply the sermon’s message of confident expectation of victory through Christ to this struggle? [31:21]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of Christ's sufficiency in your life, especially when facing internal conflicts and weaknesses? [30:10]
7. Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by your own weaknesses. How can you use that experience to remind yourself of the victory that Christ has already achieved over sin and death? [31:21]