The War Within

Scripture: Galatians 5:17 (KJV)

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other...”

Personal Reflection

One of the greatest surprises for many new Christians is discovering that conversion does not eliminate the struggle with sin. The Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, but remnants of the old nature remain. Consequently, a battle begins between the desires of the flesh and the desires produced by the Spirit.

That battle should not automatically cause us to question our salvation. In one sense, the struggle itself demonstrates that something has changed. Before regeneration, the flesh dominated us. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us, producing desires for righteousness and giving us power to say “no” to sin and “yes” to obedience.

Yet victory is not automatic. If we neglect Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and the other means of grace while continually feeding fleshly desires, we should not be surprised when we stumble.

The Christian must therefore learn to recognize the battlefield. Temptation often begins long before the outward act. It begins in thoughts entertained, desires cultivated, images remembered, resentments nourished, and compromises justified.

We must fight there.

Do not feed what you are praying for God to kill.

The presence of temptation is not itself defeat. Christ was tempted yet without sin. The question is what we do when temptation comes.

Run to Christ. Take up Scripture. Pray for strength. Refuse the flesh. Obey God.

The Christian life is warfare, but we do not fight alone. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us is greater than the enemy we fight.

Contemplation

Where is the conflict between flesh and Spirit presently most intense in my life?

Puritan Quote

John Owen wrote:

“Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, strengthen me in the battle against remaining sin. Expose temptation early and give me grace to refuse the flesh and choose righteousness. Amen.

Application

Identify where one recurring temptation normally begins and determine beforehand how you will respond when it appears.