Note for 2024/06/11

‭Romans 7:1-25 KJV‬

[1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. [5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. [6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. [7] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [8] But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. [9] For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. [10] And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. [11] For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. [12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. [13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] 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? [25] 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.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.7.1-25.KJV

Here, friends, a complex matter. Sin after the desires of the flesh, that is in contention with us. Now, if misunderstood, one could give in to those desires, and excuse it to the flesh. Who am I to think that I might describe it in a way that it may be easier to understand in context? But, as we are at war within ourselves, standing in contradiction to that which the flesh demands of us; it is crucial to try my best.

Let me then make this attempt, as it was made clear to me. The things I do not want to do, because I have found insight from the Word of GOD; that comes against me, when the flesh desires that which the flesh finds pleasure in and leaves me in regret, when I fail to restrict that wickedness in me. And even as I read this again, language fails me; for it is more complex than that in understanding. But, know that regret is that which shows that we do not stand in agreement of what the flesh demands. Even by our struggle against such desires, and by our best effort to prevent that which we know is not good to do in the sight of GOD; is it shown that we do not wish to comply with such desires. If, then, we are overcomers in Christ, what is it that is overcome, but the desires within our fleshly selves? So, can we only be tempted by that which the flesh desires, but when the Spirit has overcome, or such desire can no longer tempt us away after the lusts of the flesh, then, it is overcome for good.

We are not all tempted away after the same desires, though they may be alike in nature. Some struggle with lust more than others, while some desire strange flesh, which another may have no desire for. But this we do have in common, that we struggle against the desires of the flesh, and likewise all such desires can only be overcome by the Holy Spirit and devotion to the Word of GOD. If we give the desires of the flesh occasion to sin, as if it is a seat of honor at the counsel of our mind, then we permit such wickedness to continue in us. So... We must resist the devil, so he will flee from us. For while we may perceive it as the flesh, no flesh is moved, absent the influence of spirit. So, it is not the flesh we struggle with, but the Spirit that moves it. It is not another person, but the spirit that comes from dark places, from those rulers which Paul writes of in Ephesians 6. I know, it is hard to confront, even hard to come to understand; that even from within, we are challenged by the workings of dark forces. When we stand against such forces, we are at war with the spiritual oppression; but, when we stand in agreement with such forces, then we give occasion for possession by dark forces.

I know, this is a heavy topic in conversation. So, let us then make it a little easier to understand. If I do not like eating peanuts, who can tempt me to eat it? How much harder is it for someone to convince me to eat it, if I know I am allergic to it, when I know that eating it may lead to my death? Well, sin is the same, because sin is the path to death. When Satan and his dark forces come to me to tempt me of sin, he retells that old lie, "you will not surely die..." just as he did to the woman in the garden of Eden. That is his way. So, I choose not to listen to him, as best I can; but, rather listen to the Lord of my Salvation, when He said, resist the devil and he shall flee from you. Now, all these years later, I can confess that what I have resisted in the strength of Christ, how much of that no longer tempts me at all. In September of this year 2024, I will be sober 28 years. I am no longer tempted to drink alcohol, simply because I know, one sip, and I may be in bondage by it again. So, even when I am among others that drink, who may be stronger than I; I am not tempted, because I know the danger of it. As I celebrate my freedom, I also remember Who it was that saved me. So, it is not just theory, it is by experience that I stand with my Savior. Now I am grateful that I was once enslaved, because now I know my Savior. I know Who carried me through the dark times.

Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you. Even if I might not be enslaved again, would it not be foolish to tempt such a fate again?

Now, if you have a similar story, know that many do. While, there are many that may have similar weaknesses, who have not yet overcome it. Once more, compassion for our neighbor comes into view, for many are unaware of such a struggle. They might still stand in agreement with sin, maybe even unaware that they are enslaved by sin. To them we take the message of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

I hope that my testimony brings the matter to light, to see what it truly is. For some it is alcohol, for another it might be a different desire that may even be more embarrassing to admit. So, we must be sensitive in our approach, deal with it with compassion and remember that we were once enslaved by sin too. The unrepentant sinner has not reached the moment of regret yet, and sadly, many will never reach that moment. For they stand in full agreement with sin, they love it.

May the Lord Bless and Keep you, may He lead you on the way of Salvation.

Shalom

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

‭Isaiah 26:4 KJV‬

[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.26.4.KJV

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