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).