THE INWARD BATTLE OF ROMANS SEVEN Confirmed in Galatians The very experience declared here is confirmed in the book of Galatians, leaving no doubt as to its application. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal 5:17). The NASB reads, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."
Again, I want to point out the present tense of every aspect of this verse: "IS present . . I DO not find . . I will to DO . . . I WILL not to do . . I PRACTICE."
This is NOT an exposition of the past! Nowhere in Scripture is the believer's past assessed as though it was still going on. When reference is made to our former lives, the language itself confirms it is in the PAST. "For when we WERE yet without strength . . . while we WERE yet sinners . . . when we WERE enemies . . . ye WERE the servants of sin . . . when ye WERE the servants of sin . . . when we WERE in the flesh . . . such WERE some of you . . . who WERE dead in trespasses and sins . . . Wherein IN TIME PAST ye walked according to the course of this world . . . also we all HAD our conversation IN TIMES PAST in the lusts of our flesh . . . at that time ye WERE without Christ . . . you, that WERE sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works . . . we ourselves also WERE sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another . . . who through fear of death WERE all their lifetime subject to bondage . . . Which IN TIME PAST were not a people." (Rom 5:6,8,10; 6:17,20; 7:1; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 2:1,2,3,12; Col 1:21; Tit 3:3; Heb 2:15; 1 Pet 2:10).
There is a sharp line of demarcation between our lives of alienation and our reconciliation to God. There came a point in time when we were no longer in sin but in Christ, when we were no longer enemies but made friends. No good purpose can be served by speaking of those times of death, enmity, and alienation, as though they were still present. Such vernacular would only serve to further confuse believers. Those experiencing a struggle within would then be led to conclude they were NOT in Christ, and that they remained dead in their sins.
If the erroneous assumption that this text refers to Paul's past life is true, inward struggle is actually a sign that we have NOT passed from death unto life. In such a case, it is evidence of NOT being saved and reconciled to God. There is no other way to view this passage!
This is Paul's assessment of the PRESENT--of our life in Christ, and the conflict it has produced with the flesh. It is a frustrating circumstance, to be sure. But it is not a condemning one.
This is a brief description of the inner warfare explained more fully in the seventh chapter of Romans. The point being made in Galatians is precisely the one made in Romans. The struggle itself is not sinful, and does not condemn us. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law" (Gal 5:18).
The leading of the Spirit is presented within the context of a struggle with the flesh. We choose to follow the Spirit rather than the flesh. While the Law condemns the flesh, together with all of its desires, it cannot condemn us if we follow the Spirit, even though the very lusts it condemns are found in our earthly constitution. That is good news!
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for explaining the warfare of the flesh with the Spirit. At times it is nearly exasperating, yet I praise Your name it doe snort condemn me.