Day 103: What is The Sin That Lives in Our Flesh?
As we think about the reality of the “old self” and “the sin that dwells in our flesh” we must realize that this is the enemy that we deal with more than any other. Satan and his dark forces are working in our world, but we must not be tricked into thinking that they are the only or even the main problem. We must constantly deal with the reality of the evil that is present within us. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week this Sin that lives in us seeks to keep us from following our pattern of hearing > [ turning > trusting ] > following Jesus.
The Sin That Lives In Us Is A Real Thing
Most of us only think of sin as something that we do—some action or thought that is contrary to the truth and goodness of God. This is sin, but we must also understand that sin is a spiritual power, force that is at work in us and in our world. In fact, the first time sin is illustrated in the Bible it appears as a vicious and ravenous beast:
Genesis 4:6-7
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”
Here, God warns Cain (the first murderer) that sin, like a lion waiting to attack, was sitting outside his door read to pounce on him and eat him alive. Unfortunately, sin—the power of sin—is not just outside, it also inside us. Remember what we have already heard concerning this:
Romans 7:18, 22-23
For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it.… For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law/principle in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law/principle of sin that is in my members.\
KEY Definition: Sin
The basic idea of sin is any idea, thought, or action that is not shaped by or in line with the Truth, Goodness, or Glory (Beauty) of the Lord God. This is rooted in the power of sin that has corrupted the whole world.
Our “Internal Conflict” Is A Battle Of Desires
We also want to remember that this conflict within us is one of desires; the corrupt desires of the Flesh vs. the Good desires of the Holy Spirit:
Galatians 5:17
For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.
The key thing we want you to realize is this: The sin that lives in your flesh constantly wars against the Holy Spirit who lives in your heart. This Sin that dwells in you is real, it is relentless and it will never be tamed. The good news is that you don’t have to submit to its power. We have to submit ourselves to one of these powers. In Christ, we don’t have to follow Sin, we can follow the Holy Spirit.
What Gives Power To The Sin That Lives In Us?
Romans 7:5
For when we were in (controlled, dominated by) the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
Before we became followers of Christ, we were completely ruled, dominated by Sin. This is what it means to be “in the Flesh” as Paul says above. The Old Self is completely wrapped up in the Old Self; it is all about me! In this state, our sinful desires were stirred up, aroused by the Law and so we produced actions that were “dead”—incapable of exhibiting truth, goodness or beauty.
In Paul’s writings, the term Law refers primarily to the revealed Law of God – The Ten Commandments (plus the other 603 commands) given in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yet Paul tells us that Law is the very thing that “arouses” our sinful desires. Consider this:
1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
As we have already said, it is beyond the scope of this study to deal with all of this in detail. For we need to summarize some of the foundational truths. First, don’t misunderstand what Paul is saying here. Paul does not think something is wrong with the instructions and commandments of God – they are holy, just and good (Romans 7:12-13). The problem is with us and the Sin that lives in us. Sin actually wants us to try and keep the Law so that it can take control. Paul tells us:
Romans 7:8-11
…sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
The sin that lives within us is so deceptive and treacherous it actually uses the good commandments of God to come alive, deceive and destroy our ability to do what is good, right and true.
KEY Definition: Law
Law is any list of external do’s and don’ts that we think we can keep to do what is right and pleasing to God. It includes God’s revealed Law but may also include our own list of “dos” and “donts.”
There are at least three problems with Law: 1) Law is extremely “impersonal” and Father God desires to have a personal relationship with us, and 2) Law focuses on the failure of the individual, and 3) the Law focuses on what I do. This is the old way of the “old self.” The Old Self wants us to think that God accepts us for what we do, rather than on the basis of what Christ has done for us.
The problem with this is that this is not the Way of Jesus. God desires to relate to us directly, not through Law. The Law was given to point out our sinfulness, not empower us for righteousness (see 1 Timothy 1:8-11). But there is another way, the way of the Spirt and that is what we will consider tomorrow.
Although these may be new ideas to you, it is very important that you are understanding what we are discussing in this session. If you are still unclear, take a few minutes to go back over this discussion and make notes on what is not clear. As we bring all these ideas together, we hope it will be clear in the end. Pray for help in understanding these key truths.
*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.
