Living in Conflict
Notes
Transcript
If we are really honest with ourselves… we like to hear a good story of conflict.
This statement might seem a bit odd, but hear me out. Consider this: within almost every TV show, book or movie, we are presented with some kind of issue or conflict. And our culture just eats this stuff up.
Take your westerns for a moment. A situation arises, the bad guy makes his appearance, the conflict is made known, and then John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Chuck Connors, or the Cartwrights would ride on in and save the day!
What about good ole’ Andy Griffith? Trouble was afoot in the little town of Mayberry but don’t you worry! Barney Fife was there to make sure the law would prevail!
I’m an action-adventure fan and a sci-fi nut! There is no action-adventure story without conflict. What would Star Trek look like without conflict? And if we’re honest, the deeper the conflict goes the more interested we often become in the story!
Now, a person might admit the we enjoy a good story that resolves a good conflict… but I do not know anyone who would stand here today and say, “Pastor, I really enjoy living in conflict. I mean… I live for the stress, the tension, the high blood pressure, and the worry that often comes from living in conflict!” Any takers on that one?
Conflict in a fictional story might be entertaining… we want to know how the situation will work out! But when it comes to living in conflict, it is not fun and it is certainly not entertaining!
And we know that conflict can take on many different sizes and shapes… but it often comes with physical and emotional effects.
And if we are willing to be real again this morning… we do not like to admit when we are walking through a conflict. Often times, (put on mask) we put on a mask to hide or give the appearance that everything is okay. And someone is thinking, “Pastor, you do NOT look okay!” This is especially true when the conflict is our fault… caused by our actions or lack thereof.
And… this is also true when it comes to conflicts that are spiritual matters. Now, I know I look really silly wearing this thing right now, but I am doing so to make a point. Church… how silly is it when we try to disguise our internal or external conflict with a mask? How silly do we look to others… and how silly do we look in God’s eyes? I realize some of you have not moved beyond the fact that I am preaching while wearing a panda mask… but hear my words.
Conflict is NOT something that can be disguised. Conflict is NOT something that can be swept under a rug. Conflict is NOT something that can be hidden in a closet or stored away in the basement. CONFLICT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED.
In order for resolve to be found two things must happen:
One, a person must realize the reality of the conflict. It cannot be ignored or denied.
Two, a person must place action to the desire to see the conflict resolved. It will NOT go away on its own.
This morning, as we continue our study in Galatians, we’ve come to a passage of Scripture that is going to highlight… you guessed it… conflict. It is going to speak of a specific conflict that every believer must realize exists… and it’s going to give instruction on how that conflict can be overcome.
I mentioned I like Sci-Fi. Captain Kirk was the star of the Star Trek episodes and movies for many years and there was a part of his character that I always admired. Captain Kirk did not believe in the no-win scenario. He believed that every conflict… no matter how big or small it was… could be overcome.
The conflict that is spoken of in Galatians is the conflict between our flesh… and the Spirit of God. Paul lays it out in Galatians 5:16-17 and it reads,
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
In context, this passage follows the reminder that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Paul warns the Galatians to not let themselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
The Galatians had been set free of their sin through Jesus Christ. A group of individuals was trying to lead them back into their old ways, ways that Paul likened to slavery. Paul was reminding them of their freedom… and now he gives instruction on how to forever live in that freedom!
(Main Point) We live in the freedom of Jesus as we walk by the Spirit of God. The conflict of the flesh is overcome through deliverance in Christ.
The Spirit is going to lead a person in a different direction than the flesh.
Remember last week as we talked about running a good race for God… that the most important thing to be considered is are we running in the right direction? One direction will lead to the finish line, the other with disqualify you from receiving the prize.
Paul is pointing out the conflict… a person will feel the pull of both the flesh and the Spirit as they navigate this world. Unfortunately… this is a no-win scenario. This is a conflict that cannot be overcome on our own. However… a person can and does find victory over this conflict through Jesus Christ! But a person will only seek that victory when they are willing to be real regarding the existence of the conflict.
Paul is calling out the Galatians… and the Spirit of God is calling us out today. The conflict is real… do we desire to see this conflict overcome… or are we willing to entertain the desires of the flesh?
I want to look at a couple of quick steps that we must take if we desire to see this conflict overcome in our lives.
Step One: Admit There is a Problem.
Step One: Admit There is a Problem.
First off, I want to make something very clear: this conflict is a good conflict to have! Why? Because it means the Spirit of God is speaking and you are still listening! The Spirit speaks to guide and direct us away from the things of the flesh - away from the things that would bind us and destroy us!
If you find yourself in this kind of conflict it means that God is still working on you! He’s not finished with you yet! However, if you find yourself living in sin and you are not hearing from the Spirit, it doesn’t mean that God has given up on you… but you have learned how to mute His incoming voice.
Often times this conflict shows up as conviction. Conviction is convincing… God is convincing a person of sin or the danger of approaching sin.
When God speaks to us in this way it is imperative that we listen to His voice! God does NOT convict to condemn, but He convicts to keep us from being burdened again by a yoke of slavery. GOD WANTS YOU WALKING IN HIS FREEDOM TODAY!
So let’s talk about… talking about it. Let’s talk about taking off the mask. Let’s talk about admitting there can sometimes be a struggle… there can sometimes be a conflict. And again… we are NOT talking about it for entertainment value, but for freedom’s sake.
Stories of conflict often peak our interest because of the drama that comes along with it. Living in spiritual conflict, however, is something that we hide for fear of shame… we don’t like the drama… and we like to be viewed as someone who has it all together.
And I want us to realize something today… Paul, the human author of the main text we looked at a moment ago… spoke of his struggle regarding this very same conflict. He put it ALL out on the table. Why did he do this? to highlight our need for the help of our Lord in this conflict. Romans 7:15 reads
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Ever been there? Have you ever asked yourself the question, “WHY DO I KEEP DOING THESE THINGS? Why do I keep struggling with __________________?” Right there is the conflict! Right there is the struggle! The flesh pulling one way and the Spirit leading in another! So how come we can’t overcome this?
Paul himself acknowledges that this struggle is real… even for him! but look at what he goes on to say in Romans 7:21-25a
Romans 7:21–25 (NIV)
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Paul knew that freedom from the flesh could only be found in the deliverance of God through Jesus Christ our Lord! And when you turn to the next chapter, Romans chapter 8, you get to see an AMAZING declaration of victory because of God’s amazing grace! AND… this chapter lays out what it looks like to live a life that is governed or led by the Spirit!
Paul wrote of the Spirit’s power to help us overcome the flesh because he had personally experienced the Spirit’s power in his life to help him overcome the flesh!
Here’s the deal church… GOD knows this struggle is real! That’s exactly why He gave us His Son in the first place!
God does not desire for any of us to have to hide behind a mask or to live in the shadows. Similar to Adam and Eve as they hid from His presence after they sinned… He is calling you out… to come out of hiding, to stop fighting this conflict on your own… and to find freedom AND victory through the gift of His Son!
God provided a very real answer for our very real struggle. Unfortunately, sin IS a no-win scenario for us. We cannot overcome this problem on our own. But praise be to God, He provided an answer that is a guaranteed win every time! Jesus wants to deliver you to freedom today!
And once that deliverance is found in Christ, The Spirit of God, who is identified as a helper or advocate in the gospels, moves into our hearts to help us to live in and walk in that newly found freedom!
Step Two: Be Led of the Spirit.
Step Two: Be Led of the Spirit.
Ultimately what this means is this: Through Christ, we learn how to SILENCE the voice of the flesh as we choose to follow or be led by the Spirit. I want to look at Romans 8:5-9 regarding what this looks like.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
What we see here is a contrast between the mind governed by the flesh and the mind governed by the Spirit.
The mind governed by the flesh - the mind in which the voice of the flesh is the main influence - will result in a life… of death. It will result in returning again to the yoke of slavery that God delivered you from.
This mind is also hostile to God. What this means is this mind does not accept God’s words as truth. it places human understanding over the wisdom of God. This is NOT a life of submission or surrender to the Lord. It is a life of turmoil that displeases the Lord.
The mind governed by the Spirit looks completely different. Here the voice of God is the main influence. This life is identified by life and peace. It is submissive to the ways of the Lord and it is lived to bring honor and glory to His name.
This life REJECTS the yoke of slavery. This life REFUSES to go in the direction of sin. This life places the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead in control… and look at what Romans 8:11 says regarding this truth...
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
C’mon church I think that’s something worth get excited for!
So how do we know who’s voice we are listening to? How do we know which influence is truly governing our mind today? Well church, Paul directs us to to consider the fruit that we are producing. Move back to Galatians 5:19-24
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
This, again, requires that we be real with ourselves. Which list do our actions identify with? Our outward actions reveal who or what influences our heart and mind.
And maybe you find yourself in conflict today because you desire display the fruit of the Spirit… but you find yourself living in the realm of the flesh.
I want to encourage you today… that conflict is the Spirit of God calling you out! He is not calling you out to shame or embarrass or condemn you… He is calling you out of that realm and into the realm of forgiveness of freedom!
The answer to finding freedom today is ONLY found in Jesus. This conflict can ONLY be resolved by calling on the name of our Savior. JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THIS VERY REASON.
Finding Resolve.
Finding Resolve.
I want to bring back a verse we have previously studied in our Galatians series as it applies directly to what we have been talking about today. it reveals what must take place in order to find resolve regarding the spiritual conflict.
This was how Paul found resolve… and it is how we will find resolve as well. Galatians 2:20 reads,
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The only way to silence and overcome the voice of the flesh… is to crucify that old flesh with Christ and to allow Christ to come alive within!
Remember… a mind that is governed by the Spirit is NOT a mind in conflict… it is a mind of life and peace. How many would say you desire to have a mind that is full of God’s life and peace today?
Now… how many would be willing to say your mind has been in conflict… specifically spiritual conflict? You’re struggling with some things. The flesh is pulling one way but you hear God’s Spirit calling you in the other direction? Let’s deal with the struggle by placing it under the blood of the Lamb.
First, if you do not have a relationship with Christ, we need to address this reality.
Christ died for you and offers grace, mercy, forgiveness and freedom to all who choose to believe… to all who call on His name.
Maybe you’ve been looking in all the wrong places for relief… but today, you hear God calling you out from hiding… you hear God calling you out form the shadows and shame. Today… you hear God calling your name.
He knows who you are and he knows the battles within. Give it all to Jesus. Lay it all down at His feet.
PRAYER - Salvation
Secondly, if you feel like there has been a pull from the flesh to walk back to the things that once had you bound, we need to silence that voice with the power of God’s Spirit.
It’s time to be real. It’s time to take off the mask.
How many would say today, Pastor, everything is NOT okay?
How many are ready to seek the Lord and His resolve to the conflict within?
Then let’s call on His name and be led of the Spirit of God!