Something Deeper Going On Here

Scripture: Romans 7:23 "But I see then another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin
which is in my members."

Observation:
1. Always be alert because sin and my propensity toward it are not idle or passive entities. It strives, claws, pushes, and struggles for itself. It has desires and it has power (See Galatians 5:16 and 17).

2. Sin's desires are domination, control and for me to be enslaved. It wants "captivity" to be my mindset. To be unaware of my captivity would be even better for it!

3. The only solution is to surrender control to another master, Jesus. That is why Paul uses the same Greek words (transliterated "aichmalotizo") when describing (in the second letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 5) how I am to battle against sin and other spiritual enemies, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

4. These two words in the Greek are military language speaking of war. I am engaged in a war here, but I am not the commander of the army.

5. I would never have been able to make this connection if I had not memorized that Scripture (2 Cor. 10:3-6) before. Understanding the Bible is a matter of study and patience.

Those foolish enough to try to make the Bible say what they want it to say, or that want to ignore it, always ride roughshod over texts, disregarding contexts and refusing submission at all costs. They make Scripture into all positives - all freedoms - no restrictions, as though God were some My Little Pony or Rainbow Bright.

There is freedom to be had in God - the greatest freedom - and there is joy and peace to be had in God - there is none better elsewhere - but it is not based on "unstrapping the restrictive laws and rules of God." The same God that has freed me from sin is the same God that said it was sin in the first place. He has not changed.

Application: If I strive to master sin, I will lose. I am not stronger than it (Galatians 5:16 and 17; Romans 7:11). I must set my mind to bring the temptation to Jesus and make it and myself God's servant. That is the only road to freedom because God is the only one stronger than sins's power and strength (see 1 John 4:4).

Prayer: Lord, please speak to me continually about the freedom I now have in Christ. When sin knocks crouches at my door, my first reaction is to grit my teeth for battle. And battle I must, but the victory is not for me to have. You already own the victory; I cannot take it from you. Instead help me to surrender the struggle to You. I love You. Amen.