How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to combat sin's influence in us? The Battle Inside: Romans 7:20 in Plain View “And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:20) Paul describes the tug-of-war every believer feels. The renewed heart loves God’s commands, yet indwelling sin still pulls hard. Scripture presents this struggle as real, but it also promises real victory through the Holy Spirit. Why We Need the Spirit’s Power • Sin remains active in our mortal bodies even after conversion • Human resolve alone cannot overcome sin’s entrenched patterns • The Spirit is given as our permanent Advocate and source of divine strength (John 14:16-17) • Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17) How the Spirit Actively Helps Us • Indwelling presence “He abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) • Conviction of sin “When He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8) • Liberation from sin’s law “The law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) • Empowerment for obedience “The righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4) • Guidance to walk differently “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Production of Christlike character “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) • Inner strengthening “Strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16) Practical Ways to Lean on the Spirit Daily • Continuous surrender Choose throughout the day to be “filled with the Spirit” rather than guided by the flesh (Ephesians 5:18) • Immediate confession Admit sin the moment the Spirit exposes it, trusting the cleansing promised in 1 John 1:9 • Scripture saturation Let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16) so the Spirit can recall truth at the moment of temptation • Prayer in reliance The Spirit intercedes “with groans too deep for words” when weakness feels overwhelming (Romans 8:26) • Turning to the provided escape God “will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13) whenever tempting thoughts arise • Fellowship and accountability The Spirit often speaks and strengthens through other believers who spur us on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Active cultivation of the fruit Consciously practice love, joy, peace, and the rest, trusting the Spirit to make these qualities grow Encouraging Results the Spirit Produces • Freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1) • Progressive transformation into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18) • Increasing victory over habitual sin patterns • Visible fruit that blesses others and glorifies Christ • Deep assurance of sonship as the Spirit testifies with our spirit (Romans 8:16) Closing Takeaway The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in every believer. By yielding to Him moment by moment, we experience His liberating power, silence sin’s demands, and display the life of Christ to a watching world. |
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