One of the hardest and most often occurring battles we face is with the one within ourselves. We know what are the right things to do and feel, but yet, we find it a challenge to do and feel them. So how do we deal with the battle within ourselves? The good news is, we can win the battle because Christ has given us all the tools to be able to. We just need to take hold of His provisional power and consciously apply it. Let’s look more into this now.
The Battle Within Yourself
The battle within ourselves is described so well by Paul. In fact, I’m not sure if I could relate to any other chapter in the Bible as Roman chapter 7.
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? - Roman 7: 15-21 (NIV)
I’m sure I’m not alone in this. A lot of us have had our own struggles with ourselves at one time or another. And to make it worse, the enemy loves to taunt me and remind me of my past mistakes. I could be minding my own business, doing something, and then BAM! I suddenly remember something that someone said or did to hurt and anger me. And I would struggle with having to forgive them again and again.
Or I would peacefully lay in bed or during prayer time think of the blockhead thing I said that one day to someone at the one place. It doesn’t stop! It would steal my joy because I’m thinking about the faux pas, the almost mistakes, and actual disasters. The battle within seems to be a merry-go-round of emotion that trapped me in my own negative thoughts.
We Already Have The Tools To Win
But, God is too good. God sees our innermost thoughts and the very dark depths of our hearts. He knows our struggles, no matter how large or small. And while we saw the struggles of Roman 7 earlier, we’re not left without an answer.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. - Roman 8: 1-4 (NIV)
When we’re reminded of our past mistakes that make us cringe, we have an answer! We don’t have to entertain accusing thoughts and condemnation. Because when we repent of our sins, God removes it as far as the east from the west!
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. - Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
And any other thought that steals our joy is not from God! Jesus died to give us life, to be set free from sin and death. And while we are weak in our human nature, the Jesus that we have in us is stronger than the accusing voices that we pay attention to. We don’t have to listen to voices of condemnation. We look to Jesus who loves us with everlasting love. The spirit of God speaks life and that is the voice that we need to listen to instead.
We no longer have time for dwelling on the mistakes of our past because we’re busy living for God’s Kingdom. We learn our lessons and use them as tools to be more useful for God. That is why it is so important to know the Word of God. It is the guiding light of what is really the truth among the countless noise out there. Setting aside intentional time, thoughts, and energy on reading the World and having that quiet time with the Lord recenters us and realigns us for what is really important.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that always reminds me of the truth. Thank you that You are for me and not against me, that you have forgiven my sins and mistakes, and freed me to live a life of joy and purpose. Thank you for reminding me that condemnation does not come from You. You have already won any battle I face, including the one within myself. Help me to live boldly in the freedom of Your truth. In Jesus’s name, I pray.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.