Message from Scripture: 11/15/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rom. 7:18; “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

 

Paul knew as well as anyone what it is to struggle against sin. When Paul speaks of his flesh, he’s not talking about his physical body, but of fleshly desires, the desires of the flesh that are aroused by living in a sinful world. Since we all have desires, we have to distinguish those that are good from those that are bad, sinful. Living in a world under the influence of the evil one (1 John 5:19), and thus sin, we will find ourselves at times attracted to play out such desires in our lives. Paul well knew the battle against sinful desires, the flesh, in contrast to walking by the Spirit, the will of God revealed to us by the Spirit in the word. How do we eliminate the influence of sin that is so pervasive around us, and emphasize that which is spiritual in its place?

 

God has not left us without His help. He bids us to pray to Him, to confess the sins that so easily beset us, and seek His help in crucifying them and replacing them with spiritual values and principles instead.

 

We must spend time in God’s word to know the right way to go, to identify sin from righteousness, and redirect our goals and ambitions. We must mediate on Scripture if we are to practice its precepts and principles.

 

Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ also helps remind us of what is important and encourage each other in whatever areas we are weak. We can help each other overcome our temptations by holding each other accountable.

 

Let’s think on these things this evening, and set them in our hearts to make tomorrow even better living for Christ. God bless.

 

Robert