Romans 7:13-20 NKJV
[13] Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. [16] If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. [17] But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. [19] For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. [20] Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.7.13-20.NKJV
All day long a battle between my flesh and spirit rages on.
The Apostle Paul wrote about this constant battle, AKA spiritual warfare, in the book of Romans, particularly in chapter 7, as well as in his letters to the various churches. He also wrote about this human experience of conflict within himself. This war inside, in his conscience, where he’s constantly facing the valley of decision between his flesh and spirit, good and evil, light and darkness, fight or flight, life and death.
Its’s a battle of wills; my will vs God’s will.
It’s my human soul vs the Spirit of God. I can’t have it both ways.
It’s my way, my will, my life, or it belongs to God.
Temptation is constantly standing at my door, the door of my heart, knocking, and its desire is for me, to take over and have its way over my flesh and to control my heart, mind, soul and strength.
If it were physical enemies coming at me, I could defend myself like David did in the Old testament narratives…see 1&2 Samuel and 1&2 Chronicles and most of the Psalms that bear David’s name and his testimonies, prayers and praises; most of them written to music… worship songs!
I could avoid physical enemies by staying in my house and never going outside. I could even just crawl under a rock or run away and hide in the woods somewhere. But then I would still be left with myself, my thoughts, feelings and emotions to contend with.
I could lock myself away, inside of myself and stay there and never come out. Lock the door and throw away the key to my heart, my mind and my soul!!! This is what we call depression, mental anguish and illness, my soul gripped with fear, distress and anxiety!
But is this what God created me for?
There’s an old idiom, “no man is an island.” This means that we were not created to live alone, like Robinson Caruso or Tom Hanks, stranded like a castaway on a desert island.
At least on Gilligan’s island they had others with them to keep them company and to share their misfortune with.
The solution to this crisis; this moral dilemma, is found in Christ alone. He is the Chief Cornerstone upon which our faith is built.
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
While temptation is knocking on your door, so is Jesus.
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.3.20.NKJV
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
https://bible.com/bible/114/php.4.6-7.NKJV
Living As Light 