It is one of the more profound questions found in our Bibles, and it is directed to ‘Christians’: “If we are dead to sin, how can we go on sinning?” (Rom. 6:2 CEV)

The emphasis there should be on that first, 2-letter word ‘if’. Can I just tell you upfront that Romans 6 is one of those chapters that has an incredible amount of ‘truth’ buried beneath the surface there, and is one of those chapters that if you will spend time going over it repeatedly until it ‘clicks’…it can be life changing. (Luke 24:32,45)

Paul is laying the groundwork there with the hopes we will come to see that every one of us can be set free and walk in the newness of life…’having died to sin’, and that the ‘body of sin might be done away with’…once and for all. He talks about how we are ‘no longer slaves to sin…having been set free from sin’ and that we ‘were’ at one time ‘slaves to sin’. So the question remains then…’why do so many continue to ‘sin’? And if one does, what did Jesus say that makes them, in John 8:34?

As you move into Romans 7, Paul addresses the root cause or problem we all struggled with when it came to obeying or fulfilling God’s law, a law I might remind you that was never done away with (Matt. 5:17). He points out in great detail that it’s this ‘body of death, this ‘old man’ that has been like a ball and chain in our lives that keeps us from walking in obedience to God. Sadly…many take his words there in vs.14-24 as some ‘free pass’ to continue to struggle in sin because Paul apparently admits to doing so.

Friends…nothing could be further from the truth. And that is where chapter 8 brings so much more light and revelation as to how one is ‘delivered from this body of death’ as they recognize the two natures that lie within…and how the Spirit of God begins to lead us to ‘put to death all the deeds of the flesh nature’ (Rom. 8:13-14). This…is how we are ‘conformed to the nature of Christ’ (8:29)… we, as children of God begin to follow, which is what God’s children/sheep do (John 10:27; Rom. 8:14).

So how does this all work, in ‘practical terms’?

Again, I don’t want to ‘over-simplify’ this as if it is some ‘how to manual’, but let me share with you some passages to study, take to heart, and then ask the Holy Spirit for further insight. If you read yesterday’s message, I left you with the thought that just maybe your ‘wrestling/striving’ with sin is a tad more than simply related to old habits, hormones, and family traits. There just might be some ‘spiritual’ influences at work that you need to overcome. And you won’t be able to do this in your own power or strength.

Remember that illustration I used about trying to rid your garage of a poisonous snake? We know what ‘snakes/serpents’ represent in scripture, yes? So…let’s continue on. Remember the story in the OT where those ‘Canaanite nations’ needed to come off the land? Well…there are some ‘spiritual Canaanite nations’ that need to come off the land of our hearts; and if we don’t deal with them, they will continue to be a ‘thorn in your side’ (Num. 33:55). And may I remind you what we are really ‘battling’ with, from Eph. 6:12?

So if asked- ‘is there a particular area of sin, or ‘carnal flesh nature’ that you continue to struggle with and have never overcome or ‘mastered’ in your life, what comes to mind first, for you? Would you like to be free of it, once and for all? Or, as Jesus asked: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). Now consider these words, and take your time with them….

“We have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, and was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin…” (Heb. 4:15)

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being [tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Heb.2:18)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

When we are being tempted, once again to yield or give in to a particular area of ‘sin’, recognize that you are not contending with ‘flesh and blood’, but a ‘spiritual component’ (Eph. 6:12; James 1:13-16). You are no match for this battle with spiritual wickedness in your own strength and power; hence your need for a ‘covenant partner’ who we have in Jesus. I should also state here that not every ‘fleshly’ trait that we contend with has some ‘unwanted spirit’ attached to it; but flesh certainly can give ground to them. What have we learned about what ‘serpent’ food is? (Gen. 3:14,19)

It is in this time of ‘testing’ that we ‘call upon the name of the Lord’…in humility (James 4:6)…and as we come with confidence before His ‘throne of grace’…we are told that in our time of need He will give us ‘grace to help’, as we read there. And it has been my understanding and experience…that God will give you ‘just enough grace’ to overcome and resist…giving in to that temptation, but there will still be some ‘suffering’ that your ‘flesh’ will endure. This is the ‘suffering’ we have been called to walk through and experience…when we put that old man to death.

Now look at the words Peter shares: “Be sober, be vigilant;] because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But ]may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” ( 1 Peter 5:8-10)

Did you notice that part about ‘after you have suffered a little while’?

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Pet. 4:1-2)

Jesus is ready to lead you and to empower you to ‘overcome all the power of the enemy’ and to make you ‘more than a conqueror’ (Luke 10:19; Rom. 8:37). And let’s not forget…we actually can ‘do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us’ (Phil. 4:13)

We’ll finish up with this tomorrow. Have a blessed day. :- )