21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but 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. – Romans 7:21-23 (NIV)
Most people when they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour think their lives will be peaceful and happy. However, this is far from the truth. Even though you will have times of peace and happiness, there will be times when you won’t. There is a constant battle going on within us.
This battle is one between the Spirit (God) and our body/flesh (Satan) over our minds. Our mind wants to side with the Spirit, but it can be pulled in the opposite direction by the flesh. In other words, you want to follow God while another part of you doesn’t.
You may feel like you’re the only one going through this battle but you’re not. Every Christian faces it and sometimes they may even be facing the same battle as you. Whatever battle you may be in, you can rest assured that God will be with you. He has given you the weapons and a way to defeat the flesh, but we must be willing to take them up. This is where Satan has his greatest advantage…he makes the alternative very attractive.
The attractive alternative is a lie. Lies are one of the best weapons Satan has in his arsenal. The lies are designed to look better than the good that comes from God…the good we want to do. Unfortunately, most succumb, which results in feelings of despair and failure. The good news is that God is there to pick us up again. He knows all too well that the spirit is willing, but the body is oh so weak.
In order, to overcome the desires of the flesh, one of the weapons God gives us is the Bible. Filling our minds with God’s word will help us combat anything that Satan throws at us. Reading your Bible every day will make your spirit stronger and your mind more in tune with it. The more your mind knows about God, the less chance we have of getting trapped by our flesh.
In essence, what you will fill your mind will help determine what direction it will go in when your body is tempted to do something that is against God. If you fill your mind with things that promote the flesh, then you will go that way. It is a battle where you have to be an active participant.
Having full knowledge of God, allows Him to act in our lives. It also allows us to let him act in our lives. If we are unsure of God and what He can do for us, then that lets Satan gain even more ground. The more of your mind that Satan has, the less God has. Actively reading your Bible and at least trying to follow God’s Word is far more powerful than we think.
The battle will end when you die. This continuous battle within us is very important and will determine where we end up. There will be times when the flesh will win but we have the knowledge that God will forgive us. All we have to do is focus on Him and not be pulled in by our body’s desires.
There’s one question that needs to be answered to help determine where your allegiance in this battle is. Will God have the ultimate victory or will Satan over your mind?