WAR WITHIN! "But I see another law in my members, WARRING against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:23). Paul's language is arresting – both to those conscious of their involvement in the struggle, and to those ignorant of it. For those experiencing these things, his language is marked by a preciseness that promotes spiritual liberty. For those ignorant of the warfare, his words appear too strong – apparently applicable to a prior time in his life, or are even viewed as an overstatement. I have personally heard many preachers and teachers say they could not understand why Paul wrote such words. -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 12 of 23
ARRESTING LANGUAGE
"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (v 15, RSV). "But I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members" (v 23, RSV).
When Paul says he does not understand his own actions, he is NOT acknowledging spiritual naivete. Here is a remarkable confession of faith! The apostle lived so close to God, that the very intrusion of worldly thoughts and perspectives were confounding. Basking in the light of God's grace, he found such encroachments unwanted and disruptive. It was evil at the thought level that concerned him – before it erupted into word or deed.
The marvel of this perspective of faith is its contrariety to the experience of the religious masses. For, in our religious culture, an illuminating thought appears to be as strange as a morose one was to Paul. Unspiritual thought is strange to faith; spiritual thought is strange to unbelief.
I am confounded by the common acknowledgment of many professing Christians of aloofness from God, as though it was not a serious condition. Some preachers and teachers readily admit they are "stumped" by the logic of Scripture. Also, their speech often betrays that their mind is filled with thoughts that follow the pattern of the world. But this is not, nor will it ever be, the response of faith.
The actions Paul did not understand were not his involvements in the will of God. They were not the deep and profound thoughts he had of the "things of the Spirit of God." Nor, indeed were they sinful expressions – like "the works of the flesh" (Gal 5:19-21). Rather, they were the intrusion of earthly thoughts – fiery darts hurled into his mind by the evil one – for Satan's "fiery darts" are thoughts (Eph 6:16). O, that this view was more common in our day. O, that men were more surprised by the intrusion of evil thought than by their involvement in the good and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).
One cannot ignore the nature of this struggle. Here is a graphic picture of inhibition and frustration. The right things are loved, and evil things are appropriately hated. The will has been altered, provoking the fervent desire for right, as well as an aggressive abhorrence of evil. Yet, the individual cannot consistently implement his own desires. He is engaged in a conflict within. Both good and evil are present, struggling for the supremacy of his mind!
Further, the writer is discontent with this inner warfare. That discontentment is not the result of expressing sin, as though now and then Paul committed adultery, or murder, or occasionally weakened and viewed pornography. We too often hear people lamenting because they committed such deeds – but, in a sense, they are lamenting too late. They should have mourned as Paul – when the deviate thought first came to them. That is where they lost the battle. Paul's discontent is not moroseness, nor does it produce despair. Rather, it stimulates him to a more earnest and consistent endeavor to keep the faith. There would be far less need for "recovery ministries" if professing believers knew how to fight the good fight of faith. If they put on "the whole armor of God," as they are admonished to do (Eph 6:11,13), they will have less need for recovery.
It is important to see that this is not merely Paul's unique perspective. It is the view of faith, and whoever has faith has this view to some measurable degree. This condition is also set forth in Galatians 5:17. "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would" (RSV). Whatever is desired – whether good or evil – competition arises from within. The desires of the flesh – your flesh – and God's Holy Spirit are in irreconcilable conflict with each other. No peace can be made between them. Both cannot dominate simultaneously. That is why one cannot be carnal and spiritual at the same time. You cannot love God and the world concurrently. You cannot look to Jesus and commit sin while you are doing so. As Jesus put it, "No man can serve two masters" (Matt 6:24).
Evil inclinations are elsewhere called "fleshly lusts," and are said to "war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11). They constitute a liability to the believer. It is vital that saints consider them as such while developing their strategy to keep the faith and finish their course.
This race can neither be run nor completed without attentiveness and insight. Our acceptance of Christ brought us into a perpetual war zone. Here we are daily confronted with the hostility between good and evil. The confrontation is more internal than external, more unseen than seen. It is a spiritual battle, not a fleshly one. James speaks of the "Spirit" in us that "lusteth to envy," and points out that "more grace" is provided for the situation (James 4:5-6). We are in an arena of fierce competition, and God "yearns jealously over the spirit which He has made to dwell in us" (v. 5, RSV). That Divine yearning is reflected in the struggle against evil which the believer experiences within.
Those in Christ are much like Rebekah, mother of Jacob and Esau. Before they were born, it is written that they "struggled together within her." The condition caused concern to Rebekah, so she went to "inquire of the Lord," an excellent procedure for everyone to follow. The Lord's words to her are illuminating. "Two nations are in thy womb, and two different manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen. 25:22-23). Like Rebekah, the person born from above has two contrary natures within. One is from heaven, the other from earth. One is spiritual, and one is fleshly. One is sensitive to God, the other is sensitive to Satan. One is the root of good, the other of evil. These two natures are locked in mortal combat!
Faith, however, causes the new nature to be dominant. When our faith is strong, we are more spiritual. When our faith is weak, we become more fleshly. Our "new man" excels when faith prevails. Our "old man" dominates when faith subsides.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace and faith in order that I might wage a good warfare.