"For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate ... For I know that nothing good dwells 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 am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me ... 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!" Romans 7:15,18-20,24,25

It can never be said that the apostle Paul was pretentious. His transparency has been preserved for all to observe throughout the ages. He obviously struggled with his human nature as he tried to live faithfully as a follower of Christ.

It's much too easy to pretend that we are living "the victorious life" all the while denying - even to ourselves - the reality of the inner battle. Whether in thought or action, we each especially struggle with some secret sin, and we have an enemy who would exploit that area of weakness. Like Paul, we are bewildered that our good intentions easily give way to the very actions we seek to avoid. Even as we try to live by the Spirit, we regrettably yield to our sinful nature. We echo Paul's words: "Wretched man(woman) that I am!"

The final word is not our wretched condition, but rather these words: "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus ... For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:1,15-16).

The Spirit of God reminds us of our privileged position as children of God. And, the inner Spirit of God also does something that we can't begin to do for ourselves: "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)

The inner war is indeed real, but more so is our true status in Christ. As those fully adopted into the family of God through Christ, we are freed from condemnation. The Spirit of God residing within us is teaching as how to truly pray, and is communicating with our Father beyond the audible.

Even as we battle with our inner nature, the ultimate victory is won. Let us live today, not according to our sinful desires, but according to the victory won and the Spirit enabling within.

Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ & https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/

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