There is a Battle in the Believer

“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. 

They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” – Galatians 5:17

There are two natures within every believer.  There is a sinful nature we received at the moment of conception (Rom 5:12, 17, 19).  Because of this sinful nature, mankind has a tendency toward evil and sin (Ps 14:1-3; Jer17:9; Mk 7:21-22; Eph 2:1-3).  At salvation we are given a spiritual nature and God sends the Holy Spirit to live in you (Jn 3:3, 5-6; Rom 8:9; 2 Cor 1:22).  So now in the believer there are two opposing forces: the sinful nature (also called the flesh) and the Spirit.  Galatians 5:17 sums up the situation well,

“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” 

Paul writes of this battle in Romans 7:21-23,

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.”

So how do these to natures win over each other?  Scripture seems to indicate that there is a battle taking place in the believer’s mind for which nature will win.  Let’s look at some scriptures to back this up. 

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”  – Rom 8:5-10

So how are we to battle the sinful nature?  It is by the Spirit.  We must decide what to set our mind upon.  If we choose to set our mind on the sinful desires our body and soul will follow and soon sin will manifest itself.  If we choose to set our mind on what the Spirit desires then our body and soul will follow and the fruit of the Spirit will result.  Note the difference in Galatians 5:19 & 22: one is “works of the flesh” (KJV) or “acts of the sinful nature” (NIV), the other is the fruit of the Spirit.  “The flesh produces the works; the Spirit produces the fruit.  The one requires self-effort; the other no effort of the flesh. The one is the product of the factory [works]; the other is of the garden [abiding].  The one is dead; the other is alive.  The one is flesh; the other of the Spirit.”¹  Our job is to decide to follow the Spirit.  His job is to produce the fruit. 

“So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Gal 5:16 

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Rom 8:12-14

 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Rom 6:11-12

 “…I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul” 1 Peter 2:11

 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Eph 4:22-24

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom 12:2a

So here we are with our minds right in the middle of these two opposing forces, the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit.  What are we to do?  We must, by the Spirit, put to dead the misdeeds of the flesh (Rom 8:13).  We must crucify the sinful nature and desires as Gal 5:24-25 tells us, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  I believe that what we focus on consumes us.  Garbage in; garbage out.  If we continually fill our minds with Scripture and good thoughts (Phil 4:8), then choosing to follow the Spirit becomes easier and easier.  It is like exercising a muscle, what first was hard and excruciating, with practice, becomes easy.  Let us get into the habit of following where the Spirit leads and mortifying our flesh.  The more we do it the easier it gets.  However, the converse is true as well.  If we neglect to exercise, we can become unfit and exercise becomes harder.  The same is true in our walk with God.  The more often we choose to follow the Spirit the more spiritually fit we become and the easier it is to make the proper choice the next time the sinful nature and its desires and passions clamor for attention.  Get out the sword of the Spirit and slay the ugly beast!   Paul puts this whole idea very well in Gal 6:7-9,

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become wary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Rick Renner translates one of our key verses like this, “Make the path of the Spirit the place where you habitually live and walk.  Become so comfortable on this spiritual path that you learn to leisurely and peacefully stroll along in that realm.  Living your life in this Spirit realm is the best way to guarantee that your will not allow the yearnings of your flesh to creep out and fulfill themselves.”²

Footnotes

¹ Duffield, Guy P., and N. M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983. 294. Print.

² Renner, Rick. "How Would You Like To ‘Take a Stroll’ In the Spirit Today." Sparkling Gems from the Greek: 365 Greek Word Studies for Every Day of the Year to Sharpen Your Understanding of God's Word. Tulsa, OK: Teach All Nations, 2003. 490. Print.

References

All Scriptures not specified are quoted from the NIV. New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.

The Holy Spirit is Our Helper

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor

 to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth." – John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit is our helper.  Sounds like something you would hear as a small child in Sunday School.  And yet we find ourselves striving to live out our Christianity, often in our own strength.  But this is not the way God planned it to be.  We are to live out our Christianity through His strength and by His power.

Let’s look at the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives.  First He gives us new birth into the Kingdom of God.  “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to Spirit.’” – John 3:5-6.  He baptizes us into the body of Christ.  “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—where Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” – 1 Cor 12:13.  “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” – Rom 8:9.

Next after we are born of the Spirit, our spirit bears witness for us that we are Children of God.  “Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that make you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Rom 8:13-17  “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ – Gal 4:6

He convicts of sin.  “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you.  When He comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” – John 16:7-8

The Holy Spirit seals us.  “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to   the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13-14.  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with who you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30.

He gives us power to mortify the flesh. ¹  “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires…You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you…Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” – Rom 8:5, 9, 12-15.  “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Gal 5:16.

The Holy Spirit brings forth fruit in our lives.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal 5:22. 

The Holy Spirit gives gifts (1 Cor 12:7-11; 1 Pet 4:10-11).  He baptizes (John 1:33; Acts 11:16) and infills believes, giving them power for service.  “Instead be filled with the Spirit.” – Eph 5:18

He makes His home in us.  “Those who obey His [Jesus’] commands live in him, and He in them.  And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” – 1 John 3:24.  “We know that we live in him [Jesus] and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” – John 4:13

In short, the Holy Spirit lives in us and if we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit (I.E. we have given Him permission to work in our lives), then He will give us power over our flesh (the same power He used to raise Christ from the dead – Eph 1:18-21), witness to us that we are now part of the family of God, work His character in us as His fruit, give us gifts to use for His Kingdom.

God has given you the best He has to offer.  He has given Himself to come and live in you and help you live out His Kingdom in your life.  He has empowered you with His Spirit – Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God living in you.  He sanctifies you, develops His character (His fruit) in you.  He gives you significance and purpose.  He gives you gifts to use for His glory.  He invites you into His family.  He gives you HIMSELF as your inheritance.  Now if the Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, then who could imagine the actual inheritance (Eph 1:13-14)?

Father, help us to avail ourselves of all you offer through the Holy Spirit.  We accept our place as children.  We accept your power at work within us.  Teach us to appropriate all that you have promised.  Perfect your character in us and help us to use Your gifts to further Your Kingdom.  Let us be found in you.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Footnotes

¹ Duffield, Guy P., and N. M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983. Print. p 279.

References

All Scriptures not specified are quoted from Life in the Spirit Study Bible (NIV). Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Print.

Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. "The Work of the Holy Spirit." Chart. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. 1831-1833. Print.

Duffield, Guy P., and N. M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983. Print.

The Work of the Holy Spirit