The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit, by Dr. Richard L. Dresselhaus

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 )The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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There is a war going on inside every person. Flesh again spirit. Carnal against spiritual. Old nature against new nature. Natural desires against godly desires. And the kingdom of Satan against the kingdom of God.

Like two voices that speak on every issue. Two worlds that collide with explosive power. Two appetites that compete for satisfaction. And two armies that vie for superiority.

The struggle will surface when dealing with passions, conflicts, temptations, and decisions. In fact, you will always hear from both sides at every turn 

The war never ends. But the outcome of every battle is ours to decide. Thankfully, the forces are not of equal strength, nor is the outcome one of chance or coincidence.

No! God has placed in the spirit of every person a will. Like a sentinel, the will stands over every inner battle and waits to be exercised in the decisive direction of truth and righteousness. Tragically, such is not always the case.

The Scriptures are replete with powerful examples. Abraham, before influential dignitaries, caved in to pressure and stated that his wife Sarai was his sister - a half-truth at best. David, looking through the lattice of the palace, is enticed by a woman bathing on an adjacent roof. "Bring me Bathsheba" is his fateful request. Peter, in the presence of an angry mob, was brought to a sad denial: "I don't know the man."

Consider the alcoholic with bottle in hand. The flesh (SARX) says: "Drink it." The Spirit (PNEUMA) says: "Put it down." The food-a-holic stands at the counter, and the flesh says: "Buy it." But the Spirit says: "Don't." The thief, standing before a moment of opportunity, hears the cry of the flesh: "Take it." But the Spirit says: "Don't touch it." The adulterer, with strong illicit desires, hears the voice of the flesh: "It's okay - nobody will know." But the Spirit cries out: "Run for your life."

It is the will that makes the call!

The scenario plays out dramatically during the days of youth. "Try it just once." "Everyone is doing it." "Don't be a killjoy." "Did your mother say you couldn't?" Be it drugs, sex, cheating, lying, or some other destructive vice, the battle is always the same. Flesh against Spirit. Darkness against light. Evil against good. And it is the will that determines which influence will prevail.

Romans 8:5-17 is descriptive of this battle.

Here is the way Paul describes the flesh nature and those who live by its dictates: "[they] have their minds set on what that nature desires..." (8:5) "The mind of sinful man is death..." (8:6) "...the sinful man is hostile to God." (8:6) "...it does not submit to God's law..." (8:7) "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (8:8) "...he does not belong to Christ." (8:9) And "...if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die..." (8:13)

Conversely, here is the way Paul describes the Spirit nature and those who live by its dictates: "[They] have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (8:5) "The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace..." (8:16) And "...your spirit is alive because of righteousness." (8:10)

Here then are the two natures that struggle within the life of every person. Admittedly, some argue for what is commonly called "sinless perfection," but such a claim only speaks of arrogance - itself a blemish.

This is the level ground on which the struggle takes place in every person's life. Yes, I love the Lord, am committed to follow His direction, and seek to obey His will for my life. Yet I know full well the tempter's power and the battle that frequently rages in my own inner spirit. Yes, the old nature has been crucified with Christ. Yet that nature has not been eradicated. Suppressed, dominated, controlled, but not obliterated. This is the strong truth of the verses that follow.

"You...are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit..." (8:9) "...if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus...is living in you...he will also give life to your mortal bodies..." (8:11) "...we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature..." (8:12)

The conclusion is clear. The old nature, though not eradicated, is now subject to the control of another. What a glorious declaration.

Friend, if you know Jesus as your Savior, you are no longer under the control of the old nature. Your life is "under new management." You have a new master. A new administration has been installed.

Also, note in these verses that you have a new power for victorious living. "Oh," you say, "I'm very weak. I keep slipping back. Temptations seem to overwhelm me." No! The Spirit gives you the power to be an overcomer.

And what a power it is - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. How great is that power? Great enough to vanquish death. That is power! You have a resource available against which no foe can stand.

Further, you now have a new obligation, and it is not to the sinful nature. You are now obligated to the Spirit, to the new nature, to the God nature, to the world of transformed desires and victorious living.

It is just here that many people fail. They do not accept their obligation. Paul makes it abundantly clear. Every true believer is obligated to the Spirit. And blessed obligation it is.

"...you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear..." (8:15) "...you received the Spirit of sonship." (8:15) "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." (8:16) "...if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..." (8:17)

This is the glorious victory we enjoy. The triumph of the Spirit nature. The establishment of the headship of the new man in Christ. And the celebration of the inauguration of the kingdom of God.

In bold declaration, the truths of these verses strike the heart. First, you are no longer a slave to fear. What a relief! Its power is broken. Fear has been stripped of its crippling influence.

Secondly, you are given the privileges of sonship. In fact, the relationship is so personal and intimate that a new name of endearment is now appropriate: "Abba." This is a description reserved for sons.

Thirdly, you are now written into the will (as it were) of God Himself. You are a beneficiary. And the Spirit certifies that it is all true.

Adoption is not a new idea. In Roman society it was a common practice and used with great care and deliberation. Rigid checks and balances, designated witnesses and other safeguards assured the full and complete transfer of a child from one family to another. Once the criteria was fully met, the child enjoyed all of the benefits of sonship, barring none.

I have observed that our son feels quite at home when he comes to visit. Though long an adult, he still enjoys the privileges of sonship. And his mother and I would have it no other way.

What a powerful picture this is! It describes so well what it means to be born into the family through adoption, with all of its rights, privileges and benefits.

The prodigal son arrived home to a great celebration. Why? Certainly he had long since spent all of his currency of privilege. But it was the sonship part of his relationship with the father that gave him immediate acceptability. In that sense, all that was the father's was the son's as well.

It is now time to ask the question: "Am I living according to the flesh (SARX) or the Spirit (PNEUMA)?" This is the matter of greatest urgency and import.

Remember, God has reflected His very own image in you by granting to you a certain power of decision. The Bible calls it "will." Far more powerful than the emotions, it is able to prompt a right choice at every point of decision. All that is needed is a surrender to the power of the Spirit and then a willingness to follow His direction.

Look at it this way. Deep in your inner person there is a switch. The knob has two settings: Flesh and Spirit. It is the will that moves it from one to the other. 

How will you decide today? Will you heed the Spirit's call and make every decision in the direction of the Spirit?

It is the way to life. Both now and for eternity.