Internal Conflict

We are in this sermon series entitled Simplify - Living the uncluttered life. We digging deep into the meaning of the inner life and what it means to be transformed into the likeness of Christ… Last week we touched on the importance of being attentive to the inner life — What gives the us joy? What is causing us grief? Spiritual formation doesn’t just happen and it requires paying attention to details… being mindful… of the inner life..

When you start paying attention to the inner man you will realize that there is something not quite right… — we are complex beings and the internal life is predesposed to conflict.

Conflict in the inner life…

The purpose of the book of Romans is that Paul wants the Roman believers to fully understand the gospel.

Romans has been called the gospel of God…it is Pauls theological Thesis — That the power of God has been revealed through the gospel and available to all who have faith..

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Paul’s argument is that Christ bridges the gap between us and God, and between cultures and races—he is the way God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. Christ is the righteousness we all seek—and it’s in him that we come together.

How can we live in a right relationship with God who is absolutely holy and righteousness. In the OT it was through the law and ceremonial washings people approached God..

most important letter and

The big theme of the book of Romans is this theme of Righteousness..

How can we live in a right relationship with God who is absolutely holy and righteousness.

The big theme of the book of Romans is this theme of Righteousness.. How can we live in a right relationship with God who is absolutely holy and righteousness.

In the OT it was through the law and ceremonial washings people approached God..

Earlier in Paul tells us that we were once under the Law… we were constantly under the judgement of law… therefore we were always guilty before God.

now identify with the death burial and resurrection of Christ… We were released from the constraits and requirements of the Lord… It no longer became the pathway to a right relationship… Rather it came through a personal relationship with Jesus.

We were released from the constraits and requirements of the Lord… It no longer became the pathway to a right relationship… Rather it came through a personal relationship with Jesus.

But this is no longer the case… when Christ died we to died to the effects of the law --- bringing up guilt...

Romans 7:6 ESV

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 7:5–6 ESV

5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 7:6 ESV

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Rom

Exegesis

we are released from the law,

having died

We were released are exempt from Mosaic system of regulations.. we have died to the thing that restrained us held us down… we became inslaved to the law… the law promised freedom but never delivered it… That is the problem of any legalist system… we love rules… because rules can empower us… just to do what is required… the very thing we think is bringing us freedom… is holding us down…

to that which

held us captive,

so that we serve in the new way

of the Spirit

and not

in the old way of the written code.

We were released are exempt from Mosaic system of regulations.. we have died to the thing that restrained us held us down… we became enslaved to the law… the law promised freedom but never delivered it… That is the problem of any legalist system… we love rules… because rules can empower us… just to do what is required… the very thing we think is bringing us freedom… is holding us down… We need to be so careful of legalism… because it can disguise itself as being spiritual… legalism keeps us captive.. Paul give the illustration of marriage.. once one person passed… law is no longer in effect… we have in Christ died to law.. We now serve in a new way.. Then way is that of the Spirit - Christ spirit and not the written code.

This past week I went to the

This is where Paul deals with this battle within us — the struggle between the flesh and the Spiritual man… There is this gap between what we know and what we practice....

This past week I went to the

Hygienist… and I know that I am going hear about flossing… and she asks me am I flossing… I always find myself repenting… because I know that I don’t floss enough…and I know that for the next couple of weeks I am going floss… then I’m going to backslide… Why does this happen to me...

This is where we are positionally --- but we have this struggle between the flesh and the Spiritual man… The idea is a little like the person who has been incarserated for some time and how does he handle new found freedom.

The idea is a little like the person who has been incarcerated for some time and how does he handle new found freedom.

But now

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am

we are released from the law,

having died

to that which

held us captive,

so that we serve in the new way

the law is spiritual, but

that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.

of the Spirit

and not

in the old way of the written code.

T/S How do we get the confidence to live bold and authentic lives?

Know what Causes me to loose my Confidence.

Have you ever had someone finish your sentences? Read your mind. Paul gets into our own struggles and gets very real up and personal… Because the struggle is very real.

This is where Paul deals with this battle within us — the struggle between the flesh and the Spiritual man… There is this gap between what we know and what we practice....

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am

of the flesh,

I am of the flesh,

sold under sin.

The mind is subject (dominated) to the word of God… and the flesh is subject to sin....

15 For I do not understand my own actions.

For I do not do what I want,

but I do the very thing I hate.

16 Now if I do what I do not want,

I agree with the law,

that it is good.

17 So now it is no longer I who do it,

but sin that dwells within me.

18 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.

19 For I do not do the good I want,

but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not want,

it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

T/S How do we internal conflict that destroys our confidence.

1. Know Why inner Conflict Arises.

2. Know where conflict exists.

3. Know How to Overcome internal Conflict.

3. Know How to

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,

23 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.

24 Wretched man that I am!

Who will deliver me from this body of death?

25 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.

Exegesis

On one hand the law itself is perfect it’s spiritual… and it’s not the law that is the problem… it’s me breaking the law… I struggle to fulfill the requirements of the law… one of the main reason is that I have this rebel… called my flesh… that rebels against Law.... Paul says Hey… my flesh there is not even a question… it is sold out on sin… there is no denying… Then he breaks it down...

a. He has trouble intellectually grasping his own Actions… It seems that he naturally does the very things he is trying to avoid… the things that he finds offensive and despises… he does the very things.. He is predisposed to Law… cycle of sin and guilt… that is the cycle he finds himself…at odds and in conflict in his inner thoughts.

vrs 17 is fascinating.. He speaks of himself in the second person.. and he separates himself that wants to righteous and the sin that dwells in him… There are two selves… There is me and there is my sin…. — Seperation between spirit and soul....

Actions

vrs 18 Nothing good dwells in me —Sarx Human nature and it’s frailties --- Physical man — soulish part of man.... Spirit desires to do what is good… but he is unable to put it into practice… His flesh is a disability… He keeps on practising the wrong behavior..

vrs 20 He makes a conclusion… That it would be impossible for the spiritual man to do these things…

vrs 21 He concludes.... that what is responsible is the Sin that dwells in him. There is a principle at work that Flesh and the spirit man are at war against each other.

There is a principle at work that

On one hand there is delight in God word…The spiritual man is fed… but there is a law of mind… (soulish) part of man.

mind and the spirit are at war with each other…That is why renewing the mind… is ongoing process… You are saved… you spiritual man has been born again… Spirit of God has done that… but the mind is being renewed...

24 Who is going get out this mess…

vrs 25 Thanks be Jesus --- who death has provided a way of victory.. The battle is one and lost in the mind....

This is outlay of the field...

The mind is

The mind is subject (dominated) to the word of God… and the flesh is subject to sin....

Conclusion

The answer to the Carnal Nature is this life in the spirit

Romans 8:1–2 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

15 For I do not understand my own actions.

15 For I do not understand my own actions.

my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 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. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 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.

For I do not do what I want,

but I do the very thing I hate.

the very thing I hate.

16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 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. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 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.

16 Now if I do what I do not want,

I agree with the law,

what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 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. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 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.

that it is good.

17 So now it is no longer I who do it,

but sin that dwells within me.

18 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.

but not the ability to carry it out.

19 For I do not do the good I want,

but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

what I keep on doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not want,

it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

evil lies close at hand.

22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,

23 but I see in my members another law wa

law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

24 Wretched man that I am!

Who will deliver me from this body of death?

25 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.

Incompletion -

Freedom in the inner man…

Weakening of the sinful nature

Confident Faith

by knowing what is going on the inside of me....

How to be Consistent … Being on the level

Inner Confidence

honest and authentic… living from the inside out...

spiritual - perfect

IMPression-

Paul reconciles the power and victory of the Gospel with our sinful nature internal struggle to live consistent authentic life..We get insights into the thought life of Paul…and his own battle.

Paul reconciles the power and victory of the Gospel with our sinful nature internal struggle to live consistent authentic life..

Implication:

True freedom means being set free from the internal conflicts that restrain us that keep us from being

Our confidence is derived from being set free from the guilt of personal failure and brokenness.. through the power of the Holy Spirit in the inner man.

The power of the Gospel is being set free from the guilt of personal failure and brokenness. Freedom is knowing how to get victory over the sinful nature and to walk in the spirit.

Being truly Free is freedom from the inside out… is knowing that the Spirit

Free of condemnation and guilt that keeps us in restraints and ineffective in our personal life.

indication:

Our confidence comes from the weakening the power of the sinful nature and the freedom through walking in the spirit..

How do we get the confidence to live bold and authentic lives?

WHEN DO WE GET VICTORY OVER THE SINFUL NATURE?

WHERE DO WE GET VICTORY OVER THE SINFUL NATURE?

Knowing the nature of the inner (Conflict) battle is key to experiencing freedom and victory in the inner life..

Intention:

know that true victory comes through the

To be confident in their Spiritual walk...

Paul

People would be free from the guilt of performance and the guilt of feeling life failures…

Sin is defeated in us… Victory is found in the renewing of the mind through the power of the Holy Spirit…

When we Identify Why we are Prone to Failure.

The spiritual life can get confusing and true victory can be illusive.

The answer to the Carnal Nature is this life in the spirit

The answer to the Carnal Nature is this life in the spirit

Romans 8:1–2 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.