War Within
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."
- Romans 7:15-25 NIV
This almost sounds like a Biblical version of a Dr. Seuss book, doesn’t it?
In the midst of wording that could lead us to get lost in the text, is a message that is plain and simple...
My sinful nature and my desire for a holy, godly nature are at odds. And a battle ensues on a daily, even moment-by-moment basis.
I desire to do what is good and right and pure.
And at the same time, I desire to do what is worldly and sinful.
I hate my worldly desires... I love my godly desires, but all too often I do what I hate and I don’t do what I love.
Whether a movie or TV show or becoming frustrated with a wayward referee or a non-attentive driver - I do what I hate and don’t do what I love.
I can pray, I can promise, I can strive, but the battle is alive within me.
Yet, the more that I pray, the more that I promise, the more that I strive- often the worldly desires will be squelched and I can focus on what I long to be... the godly man I’m striving to become.
Even so, the war within wages on.
Yet, the Ultimate Victory has already been won.
We are not alone as we face our struggles and our battles. We are not alone as we strive for godliness.
From our knees, we can stand and fight wearing the full armor of Jesus Christ.
Through prayer and supplication, we can continue to strive to be who it is He has called us and made us to be.
Be Becoming. Fight the Good Fight.
Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem
