BOOK SUMMARY: THE ENEMY WITHIN - PART 1: THE POWER OF SIN IN WHAT IT IS - CHAPTER 2 - THE LONG AREM OF THE LAW

THE FLESH IS A RHINO

The only legitimate and authoritative rule over believers is the kingdom and reign of Christ. Indwelling sin is a usurper to the throne. The law of sin pushes us around with promises and threats (Deuteronomy 27 & 28). The Israelite tribes on Mount Ebal should curses while the Israelite tribes on Gerizim proclaimed blessings. 

THE REWARDS OF SIN

Sin promises rewards that many people will sell their soul for. Hebrews 11:24-26 shows us that Moses forsook these rewards.

THE PUNISHMENTS OF SIN

Moses face mistreatment and reproach for not bowing to the law of sin (Hebrews 11:25-26). To disobey the law of sin is to obey God. Self denial is part of sin's punishment. The write of Hebrews speaks of resisting sin "to the point of shedding blood" (Hebrews 12:4). 

AN INSIDE JOB

Indwelling sin is our Judas. This law is not outside of us but within us (Romans 7:17). It's another law that wages war.  There's a sense in which we are captive to the law of sin that dwells in our members (Romans 7:23). Romans 7:18 says that no good thing dwells in our flesh. The law of sin is in some sense Paul and us. This is why the New Covenant assures us that God promises to write his law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33). No mere external law can win against the law of sin. 

SIN GETS UNDER OUR SKIN

Indwelling sin has some disturbing advantages.

• Indwelling Sin Wears Out Its Welcome

It has settled down in us and is at home (Romans 7:17,20).  Wherever we go, whatever we do, it is there. 

• Indwelling Sin Never Rests

Just when Paul was ready to do something holy and loving, sin was at his elbow (Romans 7:21, Galatians 5:17. It exasperates us.

• Indwelling Sin Does Its Dirty Work With The Greatest Ease

It clings closely to us (Hebrews 12:1). It needs no help from the outside. 

WRESTLING WITH THE RHINO

The more we understand indwelling sin the less we will suffer its effects. The better we know the rhino, the more we hate it. The more we hate it the more we will reach out for grace against is. If we don't find ourselves resisting indwelling sin it might be that we are not saved and have made peace with the rhino.  No one born of God makes a practice of sinning (1 John 3:9). We must run to Christ. Only he can slay this beast in our hearts. 

BOOK SUMMARY: THE ENEMY WITHIN - PART 1: THE POWER OF SIN IN WHAT IT IS - CHAPTER 1 - EVIL AT MY ELBOW

I FEEL THE SAME WAY TOO

Paul struggled with sin as well. Theologians call it indwelling sin. Paul called it:

• The law of sin (Romans 7:23)
• This body of death (Romans 7:23)
• My flesh (Romans 7:18)
• Sin that dwells within me (Romans 7:17)
• Sin (Romans 7:11)
• The law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)

The first step to fighting this enemy is to know it well.

FOUR KEY TRUTHS

Romans 7:21 says, "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand."

• The Sin That Lives In Us Is A "Law"

This means that sin dwells in us (Romans 7:20).  Law is a metaphor to express power, authority, constraint and the control that sin wields in our lives.  Paul had previously written that God's law is supposed to rule our lives but here we find indwelling sin that seems to win a lot of battles.

Law entices us to obey with offers of reward (you will live long in the land). But law also compels us to submit by threats of punishment for disobedience.  

Law can also be used in a sense like gravity. Law in this sense is a force that can make objects obey. Thus, every urge or inclination (hunger, thirst, sexual drive, fear) is law. Indwelling sin works like this: enticing, threatening, even bullying.

So, in what sense did Christ defeat sin in the believer? Christ has overthrown its rule, weakened its power and even killed the root so that it cannot bear the fruit of eternal death in a believer. Thus, our glorification after death is the second coming of Christ to our soul, when every trace of the law of sin will be no more. 

• We Find This Law Inside Us

It's one thing to critique dissertations on original sin; it's other thing to find yourself subdued by sin's madness and strength. Believers can see the law of sin at work in them. Unbelievers can't feel it.  

• We Find This Law When We're At Our Best

We are aware of this law especially when we want to serve God. But it is not our dictator. Believers still want to do right (Romans 7:21). Though grace prevails in us, it doesn't do so perfectly (Galatians 5:17).  Believers don't make a habit of sinning (1 John 3:9). The new nature refuses to live at peace with sin. This distinguishes believers at their worst from unbelievers at their best. The Spirit of God and the new birth are essential to our struggle against sin.

• The Law Never Rests

Our general and constant desires is to please God (Romans 7:18). But at the same time, the law of sin opposes this (Romans 7:21). The law of sin and death is a constant tug-of-war (Romans 7:14-25). Evil is always close at hand (Romans 7:21). We can feel like Jekyll and Hyde (Galatians 5:17). Only Christ can deliver us.

OUR WISDOM

More important than the previous 4 truths is the truth that God's justifying grace is won for us by Christ's death and resurrection.  The grace of God in Christ and the law of sin and death are the two fountains of all our holiness and sin, joy and trouble, refreshment and sorrow.  The law of sin and the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2) in us are mortal enemies. We get regular check-ups with a doctor but how many of us give such attention to the health of our souls. We must get to know indwelling sin so we can avoid everything that grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).