Spiritual Warfare - 10

 Warring within yourself to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil

  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.  For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.    Romans 7:18-25, 8:1-6 (NKJV)

There is a part of me that proves my fallen nature and is carnal, selfish, proud and rebellious. There is another part of me that desires to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do what is scripturally right. The more I indulge in worldliness and selfishness, feeding my carnal mind, the stronger my carnal self becomes. Therefore I need to feed myself with the word of God so that faith is built up in me, and as I drink of the Holy Spirit and obey Him, I am able to overcome my carnal self. This internal war must go on as long as I am in this body.

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.   1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
It is the flesh that attracts the lion!

 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,   1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NKJV)

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.   1 Timothy 6:6-12 (NKJV)


The apostle Paul proves that victory is possible.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.   Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)


Cain and Abel are a picture of carnality and spirituality respectively. Cain’s sacrifice of the fruit symbolized his attitude. No heart and no love. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. His sacrifice came with a heart full of love.

Like the spiritual struggle within us, Rebecca had a struggle within her womb.
And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”   Genesis 25:23 (NKJV)
Esau depicts carnality and Jacob, spirituality. Each one of us is born naturally first and then born again spiritually. Therefore the carnal self is older, but should serve the renewed spirit.

 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.   Romans 8:7-11 (NKJV)


There is also an interesting scene at the birth of the twins of Tamar.
 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.  And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”  Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez.  Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.   Genesis 38:27-30 (NKJV)

Our initial reaction to any situation is of the flesh. Knowing this, we should bind these actions, reactions and attitudes with the scarlet thread of the blood of Christ. Consequently, there will be a breakthrough and the glorious fruit of the Spirit will manifest in our lives.

We need to beware that it is our flesh that is attracted to the world. The flesh is also attractive to the devil, who gets a foothold into the life of one who lives in the flesh..

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.   Galatians 5:19-24 (NKJV) 


I need to check out and clear any worldliness from within myself because, being a friend of the world makes me an enemy of God which is a dangerous situation. I need to diligently check my way of thinking and my desire for pleasure and repent, as it amounts to spiritual adultery.
 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?   James 4:1-5 (NKJV)