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Romans 7:14-8:3, John 16:8, Mark 14:38
In Romans chapter 7, Paul reveals that we have a dual nature – each of us are, to some extent, a Jekyl and Hyde. This darker side of our nature has the potential to destroy our lives if we don’t learn to subdue it.
Paul asked himself an important question “Why do I do What I don’t want to do.” Something we are still asking ourselves thousands of years later. We have this conflict: We want to serve God and ourselves.
Temptation is a fact of life for all of us – Christians or non-Christians. The difference is: If you’re a child of God, you have a supernatural power available to you to say no to temptation and to live a life that pleases God.
What is the solution to mastering our appetites? Learning to live a life full of the Holy Spirit
1. LISTEN to the Holy Spirit
I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good.
Romans 7:16 (NLT)
When he comes, he (Holy Spirit) will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: John 16:8 (NIV)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 (NIV)
2. LIVE a new Life
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25 (NIV)
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[a] 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 because of[b] his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 (NIV)
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak.”
Mark 14:38 (NLT)