Security in Jesus to Overcome the Battle of Flesh Against Spirit How? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

We are set free from the law of sin and death. Then, how do we live a life, here and now knowing this? Previously, we discussed this. Two weeks ago, I wrote about a part of this. The post was titled: 7 Ways Jesus Death, Burial, and Resurrection Powers You to Conquer Sin. There we looked at how our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ makes each of us a new creation. Cloaked in His Righteousness we have power to overcome sin. Sin always begins in our mind, our thoughts. Therefore, we must guard our thoughts by being always aware of His presence. But now this week, Paul takes us another layer deeper. Here we will discuss how our security in Jesus helps us to overcome the battle of flesh against Spirit.

The power of the Holy Spirit is in us. We are empowered knowing that in Christ Jesus our salvation is eternally secure. Therefore, we do not have to be constantly focused on “what we do.” Rather resting in Him, we are at peace to revel in His Grace. As such we glory in trusting Him with everything. We know He has the perfect plan.

All we do is keep Him in the forefront of our hearts and minds. Let Him guide our thoughts, hearts, and lives. How? We do that through constant prayer, worship songs, and reading the Bible. How do we have prayer without ceasing? By including God in all our thoughts. Those thoughts that always run in our own head all day. Consciously realize His presence and you will sin less, even if not perfectly sinless. You will sin less. And you will Quickly notice when you walk away. But I am getting ahead of myself.

How Can Anyone Overcome the Battle of Flesh Against Spirit Without Knowing There is a Battle

After further study and reflection. I want to go back to one section from last week and take a second look at it. When Paul wrote

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it, killed me. So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore, did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. Romans 7:9-13 NASB

John McArthur wrote:

“7-9 without the law. Not ignorance of or lack of concern for the law (cf. Phil. 3:6), but a purely external, imperfect conception of it. when the commandment came. When he began to understand the true requirements of God’s moral law at some point prior to his conversion. sin revived. He realized his true condition as a desperately wicked sinner (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15). I died. He realized his deadness, spiritually; that all his religious credentials and accomplishments were rubbish (Phil. 3:7, 8). 7:10 was to bring life. Theoretically, perfect obedience to the law could bring eternal life, and with it happiness and holiness. But no one except Christ has—or could—ever fully obey it (2 Cor. 5:21; see note on 10:5). 7:11 sin . . . deceived me. By leading him to expect life from his keeping of the law, when what he found was death (v. 10); and by convincing him that he is acceptable to God because of his own merit and good works.”¹

_{MacArthur, John, NASB MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson., noted on page 2336.}

In other words. How many people believe that they are “good with God” because they try to do the right thing? For them, their misconception of God’s laws and God Himself, are a stumbling block that will lead to ultimate death. How awful is that? Unless we recognize ourselves to be sinners, we never seek a Savior?

Battle of Flesh Against Spirit Outlined

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good. But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. Romans 7:14-20 NASB

Before one can even come to accept Christ as Savior, they must first recognize this truth. There is nothing within me that can work my way to God. I am a sinner doomed to eternal death if I do not accept Jesus Christ as my substitutionary sacrifice. Therefore, I faith is believing He is God the Son. And took on flesh to pay the price for my sin. But what if I do not recognize my sin? Or do not believe He is who He said He is? Then I am doomed to eternal death.

Yet even we who are saved. We want to work our way toward being “blessed by God.” But our flesh is no more capable of doing good works now than before. The only difference is we are now saved by Grace through faith in Jesus’ atoning work on our behalf. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. But do we turn everything over to His control or do we want to hold back a part? Or do we do something only to brag to God about later? Hmm. If I could do NOTHING to save me. Why would I think I can I do anything to make me better? Or to make God love me more?

So, what now in this Battle of Flesh Against Spirit?

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person, but I see a different law in the parts of my body waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7: 21-25 NASB

I can not do it. Not of my own will or volition. I could not save myself. And I can not live this Christian life. But Christ can in me. And the sooner I learn that. The quicker I cast aside all that pride of self. Quicker do I learn how to walk minute by minute relying on Him. So arrogantly, we think too much of ourselves. We think we do so much for Him. That is why we get mad if He does not shower us with everything. Is that not part of the false prosperity gospel? Why should I think He would suffer here on earth and I face no suffering? How can I ever become like Him if everything of life is without trials?

But still we are not hopeless.

We are freed from the body of this death. How? “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

But that is not all! That is not the end! We must move on to Romans 8.

No More Condemnation in this Battle of Flesh Against Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1 NASB

How in the world can that possibly be? Does that mean I can profess salvation and say, “Thank you Lord. See you in heaven. Until then I will just keep doing my own thing my way.” Not really. Because if you did make Him Lord. And really knew what He did for you. You can not just walk away and forget Him. If you can, most likely, you do not know Him at all. And certainly, you do not grasp the truth of salvation. True believers are miserable when living in blatant sin. We may not know how to get ourselves back out of the mess. But certainly, we are miserable when choosing to sin willfully or unwillingly. But how can God remove all condemnation for those who accept Christ?

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8: 2-4 NASB

Nothing I can really add to those verses. We could not. Therefore, God did it for us. The perfect, righteous son of God came to earth. Took on human flesh. Did not sin. Lived the perfect life we could not live. He then presented Himself: the perfect sacrificial atonement for us. Taking upon Himself all the wrath that we deserved. Understanding that truth, gives us the gratefulness for His grace needed to surrender our will to Him. Thus allowing His Spirit to work through us. That is the power He gives us by providing us Eternal Security.

No longer am I worried about my mess ups. My eternal security in Him means I am constantly surrendering to Him. How can I in the depths of my heart desire with all my being to live any other way?

But the battle rages on in my mind at times. So How Does Security in Jesus Overcome the Battle of Flesh Against Spirit?

For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 NASB

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11 NASB

It is His work, not mine that transforms me. When we reach that moment where we fully comprehend this. Our rest in His Forgiveness and Unwavering Love sets our hearts free. “Free for what?” you might ask. Free to tremble with awe and wonder at His kindness. That is what is meant where the Bible speaks of our fearing Him. We tremble at recognizing His magnificent power, grace, and wonder. Then we say, “how could He love me?” Knowing the deepest crevices of my heart, He loved me. He chose me. Me, so unworthy of His magnificent grace. Not only did He love me, He secured me forever as His. He entered a Betrothal covenant with me. And He will return for me. To take me to be with Him.

He promised to give life to our mortal bodies as well while here on this earth. Not allowing us to fall into nor remain wallowing in the mud of our own sins. How awesome is that!

Recently, I have found while facing many trials surrounding me that listening to soft Christian music brings peace. My newest favorite is from a YouTube channel called Melodías Cristianas en Bolero. Although I have searched diligently, I can not find the name of the singer. Nor have I found the name of the song writers. All I know they are from Spain, at least according to their feed. Each song so beautifully written and sung. The channel suddenly appeared one day in my feed when I needed it most. Let me share this song with you. It helps clarify this subject. I will put it in both Spanish and English so you can understand.

Me Perdona Contigo

Guarde’ mi cupa tanto tiempo

Que olvide como respirar

Pensé que ya no había aliento

Ni Ojos que me pudieran mirar.

Pero me perdono contigo, Señor.

En tu amor aprendí el valor

No soy lo que el miedo me dijo

Soy lo que tu gracia escribió

Caí mil veces en el error,

Creando que el dolor era amor

Pero tu cruz me recordó

Que el perdón también es mío,

No solo de Dios

Me miras sin juzgar

Me ensenas a soltar

Perdonarme no es olvidar, es dejarte sanar

Me perdono contigo, Señor

Porque en ti halle mi redención

Ya no vivo en mi prisión.

Tu voz me dio liberación

Y si vuelvo a fallar

Sea donde regresar

Me perdono contigo

Porque tu nunca dejaste Amar

I Forgive Myself With You

I held tight my shame for so long

That I forgot how to breathe

I thought there was no air left to breathe

Nor eyes that could look at me.

But I forgive myself with You, Lord.

In Your love, I learned courage

I am not what fear told me

I am what Your grace wrote

I fell into error a thousand times,

Believing that pain was love

But Your cross reminded me

That forgiveness is mine too,

Not only God’s

You look at me without judgment

You teach me to let go

Forgiving myself is not forgetting, it’s letting You heal me

I forgive myself with You, Lord

Because in You, I found my redemption

I no longer live in my prison.

Your voice gave me freedom

And if I fail again

May I find somewhere to return

I forgive myself with You

Because you never stopped loving me

Start at 21.30 for this song

A Final Thought:

I wrote a book in 2010 entitled, “A Broken and Contrite Heart. That was where I found the truth of this. For so long, I held so tight to my guilt and shame I was trapped therein. Perhaps much like Martin Luther. Only at the time, I had already walked with Jesus for over 50 years. But it was then, I discovered as David and Peter did, His grace was sufficient. That changed everything. Step by step, one tiny transformation of heart at a time, little glory by glory, I learned to surrender all to Him. And when I try to take back control of some area, He gently reminds me.

I have often said that while walking down this road of life, I sometimes fall down. Lying in that mud puddle, I want to just remain there. To ashamed to look up. That is when His Gracious gentle hand of love reaches out. He takes my hand and says, “Child, get up”. At first, I cry and say, “But my sin, all this mud.” His response is always, “What sin?” Covered by the blood of Christ, He sees me as spotlessly righteous. Then He lifts me up. Cleans off all the mud and says, “We have work to do. Look at all those who do not know me. Let US go together to tell them. Remember and never forget how much I love you.” Surrendered fully to His will, I march forward. My hand in His.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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