(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
Editor’s note: This column originally ran in The Augusta Press on July 31, 2022.
I think that there is not a Christian alive which does not find themselves in a continuous battle to do what is right. At the same time, they deal with the reality that they are still human and subject to sin which displeases God and brings a burden of guilt and regret. It should help us to find out that the Apostle Paul, the greatest Christian who ever lived, experienced the very same problem. We are most fortunate that Paul left us information on the problem that he faced with this situation. In Romans 7:14-25, Paul tells us that he, too, found himself doing things that he didn’t want to do and conversely, not doing the things he should do. As we read the Bible, we find out that it never glosses over the humanity of those that God saves and uses. It is honest with us about the humanity of the Lord’s people. Paul says in Rom. 7:15….”For that which I do I understand not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” Sound like you? If you are a normal person, you will find that Paul speaks to you in that one little verse. The rest of that passage only expounds on it to the fullest. One who wants to please God with his life would do well to read this little passage given to us to help us, not condemn us.
It would be good for us to realize that if someone like Paul had the internal battle that he so perfectly describes raging in his soul then we should not expect to be free from it. I am so glad that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans and I am particularly glad that he included the passage I have just mentioned. This is where we live every day. It is what we deal with constantly and the Apostle Paul found this to be true in his life also. In this day we have quit wanting people to be saved as much as we want them to be fulfilled. And, if they don’t feel fulfilled and happy, they think they must be lost.
What if Paul had written all that he penned in all his letters and left out this part which bares his humanity to us? In Romans 7:14-25, he tells us that we are not in the boat by ourselves where the issue of sin is concerned. We are constructed just like Paul was. He was not someone special who lived an existence different from ours. I believe that God had Paul write this part of his letter so that you and I could discover more about how this Christian life works.
There is nothing in this passage which says that we have an excuse for sinning. It never says that since we are only human and since the Law of sin is so strong, that we must just accept that we are going to be pulled this way and that way and that if we fail, it is o.k. because sin is so strong and God is so gracious that it won’t matter. There is a Civil War raging in our bodies. One side is seeking to destroy us and the other side is desirous of doing the right and good things in life and pleasing God by doing them. Both sides are driven by a law which is very powerful and which is responsible for our dilemma.
Every saved person has two natures….they have the Adamic nature which can do nothing right and the New Nature in Christ which can do nothing wrong. These two natures are in a constant conflict and you experience it every day. The situation is that the saved person desires two different kinds of life at the same time. Remember this: God attaches Himself to one’s spirit and satan attaches himself to one’s flesh. Since we are human, we often find the pull of the flesh stronger than the pull of God influence over the spirit and therein the Civil War begins. This is what Paul was dealing with.
Why is the old life often more powerful that the New Life? You have had a lot more practice living the old life than living the new life. Therefore, you find that the old life is very easy to live and it satisfies your flesh. A person has to develop the desire and the ability to live the New Life because the Lord gives us that when we are saved and it calls for us to reject our former way of doing things which we have become so accustomed to doing. The New Life is life controlled by the Spirit of God and it will eliminate the old way of doing things but therein comes the battle for the soul of man which Paul was experiencing and every Christian will likewise experience as God’s Spirit pulls them to do what pleases Him. It calls on us to reject the pull of the flesh which is very hard to do but we must remember that God has given us the ability to do so or He wouldn’t be expecting us accomplish this. One has to develop the living of the New Life in Christ as they follow the guidance of God’s Spirit living within them.
Satan told Adam and Eve that if they ate the forbidden fruit, they would be like God and know good and evil. That would be something different for them and make them like gods. He did not say that they would know good from evil but good and evil, and there is a world of difference in the two.
So, as you live your daily Christian life just remember that satan has never given up on you. He knows that he cannot get your soul because you are saved, but he is in a continual battle to make the Christian miserable so that they will not be able to serve God properly and certainly won’t be happy in their New Life. It is comforting to know that a man like the Apostle Paul experienced the very same battle that we are engaged in daily: The Civil War for the Soul of Man.
Reverend William (Bill) Harrell has been in ministry 49 years. He served as the pastor of Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, GA for over 31 of those years. He can be reached at wfh@williamfharrell.com. You can also check out his blog at www.williamfharrell.com
