Romans 7:14-25

The Believer's conflict with sin

Romans 7:14-25

Paul describes the spiritual battle that all believers face. We must first understand that there are a few fundamental principles that are foundational to the Christian faith.

1.         When we believe on the Lord Jesus, he enters our hearts and lives in           us.

            A.         Through faith we are declared righteous by God,

NKJ Romans 5:1 ¶ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

            B.          and are accepted as His children

NKJ John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

            C.         Through faith we are cleansed by the blood of Christ

NKJ Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

            D.         We are transformed

2.         But the believer continues to live in the same human body, and           struggles with sin.

            A.         "spiritual" Meaning: of God the Holy Spirit

            B.         "carnal" Meaning: 1) fleshly, carnal 1a) having the nature of flesh, 1a1)                          governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God: It denotes frailty,                          weakness and imperfection

            C.         We can be assured that the day will come when our flesh will be redeemed

NKJ Romans 8:23 we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

            E.         But, until then, we can either let our bodies control our spirits or vice-versa

            F.         Through faith, the believer is crucified with Christ and his flesh no longer has                          preeminence in his life.

            G.         The dedicated Christian continues to put down his old nature, this is a                               continuous, life-long battle. It is the battle that Paul describes here.

3.         The believer's sin is not necessarily always willful sin. (v.15)

            A.         The believer cannot love the love the evil that he does, and he cannot have the                          mind set of the flesh, and be willfully obedient to God.

            B.         If you do what you know is wrong, then you are in agreement that the law is good.

            C.         v.17-23 The conflict of the believer with sin. The devil made me do it is no excuse

            D.         v.21 Paul discovers a law, evil is always present, even when he wants to do                          good. This is not good news.

4.         Victory is possible at all times. (v. 22-25)

            A.         Paul discovers a greater law

            B.         v.23 Even though Paul knows what is right, he is powerless against the effects                          of sin

            C.         v.24 This looks like a hopeless case, but it is not.

NKJ Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

            D.         v. 25 We cannot rely on our own strength, but on the strength of God.

***Read Charles Stanley***

To be born again takes only a moment of faith, but to becomes like Christ, is a life-long endeavor.

NKJ Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.