“2-Natures at War”

 

 Have you ever wondered why it is that we sometimes struggle so much?

Paul the apostle said this:

 

(Galatians 5:16-17) ¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition (or at war) with one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

 

There is a war that rages inside each and every one of us and it’s a war for “Control” our flesh fighting against the Spirit of God inside of us and the spirit fighting against the flesh.and these two are in opposition or at war against each other.

 

·          The Nature of the flesh or also known as (The Sin Nature) fighting and pulling us toward sin.

 

·        While the Nature of Christ or also known as (The Nature of the Spirit) pushing us toward righteous living in Christ.

 

Within us are 2-Natures:

First. The moment we accept Jesus Christ into our heart – we receive the Spirit and the Nature of Christ in us. According to (Romans 8: 1-17) we receive the spirit of adoption.

 

Note: as we continue reading our word, praying and seeking God, living a life of obedience to the Lord, this strengthens our spiritual nature (The Nature of Christ within us) not to live or practice sin in our life.

 

 

Secondly. The other nature is called; the Nature of the Flesh. Or better known as the Nature of Sin.

 

Paul said it this way in (Galatians 2:20) “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

Paul is actually explaining – even though we have become saved, born again and the Nature of Jesus Christ lives inside of us – we still have inside of us this powerful-flesh to contend with.

 

The key here is learning how not to give into sin !!

How do we obtain Victory over the Nature of Sin?

 

1. By Resisting the Temptation or the Tempter:

 

(James 4:7) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”

 

(Meaning) Coming under the power and authority of God in our life, according to (St John 1:12) we have been given “Power” in our life to “Resist” the temptation and the tempter that confronts us!!

 

 

2. By Relying on the Spirit’s control over our life.

 

Note: If you notice I didn’t say by having “self-control”

Because I believe we must never put our trust in the flesh, because the flesh has no control and we need something greater and bigger than self.

 

 

3. By coming under the authority of God’s word.

 

In (Hebrews 4:12) it says; “For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”

 

 

4. By learning to walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh.

 

Paul said in (Gal 5:16-25) Read

 

The key here is, we can obtain victory through Jesus Christ because of the Cross – we now become heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ’s victory.

 

Paul said in (Romans 7:24-25) O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank God- it is through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!!

 

So the key for this message - is continue walking according to the Spirit and not the flesh !!!

 

 

Sincerely

Pastor Max