*Rom. 7:21-24- I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 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. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The Apostle Paul reveals that even the most spiritual of Christians faces conflicts and temptations. He relates that the flesh is powerful and will stifle the inward man given the opportunity. Every Christian has a warfare, many times the battlefield is closer than we think. The Enemy Within!
*Note: sometimes we have a difficult time recognizing our enemies. Enemies are necessary in our Christian walk, they help us to depend on Christ more! *our enemies within include… 1. Our Conscience! *where lies: guilt, imagination, and thoughts! 2. Conceit! (ego, pride) 3. Contentment! 4. Coveteousness! *where lies: greed, envy, & jealousy! 5. Chains! *of… a. Doubt b. Depression c. Discomfort (pain) d. past Defilement (sin) e. past Defeat *How can we overcome these enemies? through… 1. The Spirit! -see Rom. 8:1-10 2. Sufferings! -see Rom. 8:14-18 3. Supplication! -see Rom. 8:26-28 4. Security! -see Rom. 8:35-39
The enemy within is only as strong as we allow it to be. The more we feed it, the stronger it becomes. No wonder King David echoed; “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Feed on the Word of God and follow the Spirit of God and the enemy within will not have a chance!
-Pastor Doug Foster
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