Lost unregenerate men know nothing
of this struggle. Frank Hall. For the flesh lusts
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these
are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things
that you would." Galatians 5 17. In this one verse, the Apostle
Paul describes the thing that continually plagues every Christian. We, as the people of God, desire
more than anything to love God perfectly, but can't. We long
to cease from sin and ungodliness, but can't. We strive to worship
our God with our entire being, but can't. We try to do good
and honor God in all things, but can't. Why do we continually
do, say, feel, and think things that are evil? Why are we so
hard-hearted, unforgiving and ignorant? Why can't we do what
we desire most? It's because we have two natures
called flesh and spirit, sin and righteousness, Adam and Christ. We do indeed believe our God,
but not as we would. We do love our Savior, but not
as we would. We do live for His honor and
glory, but not as we would. Our flesh won't allow us. It
always interferes. It keeps us from doing the things
that we would. When we would do good, then evil
is present within us. Our most fervent faith is mixed
with unbelief. Our most selfless sacrifices
are mixed with selfishness. Our most ardent prayers and supplications
are marred by our infirmities. Our most spiritual moments are
contaminated by our sickening carnality. Our meekest hours
of submission and dependence on God are corrupted by our self-will
and pride. Every mountaintop experience
of spiritual pleasure is tinged with shameful wanderings within.
Our clearest views of Christ are darkened by error, misconceptions,
and preconceived notions. Even when our hearts seem to
be most fixed on God's glory, they are torn between this world
and the next. The reality is that as long as
we live in this world, we will be at war within ourselves. The flesh will not submit to
the spirit, and the spirit will not submit to the flesh. We will
be pulled this way one moment and that way the next, believing
one moment and doubting the next. praising God in the morning,
then murmuring at night, seeking God's will today and our will
tomorrow. As long as we live in this body
of flesh, there will be a constant struggle within us, a struggle
between flesh and spirit. Lost, unregenerate men know nothing
of this struggle. This internal warfare is peculiar
to believers, Unbelieving, unregenerate, impenitent, rebellious, lost
sinners know nothing of this fight with self. They don't loathe
themselves as all believers do. They love themselves. They have
but one nature, and that is sin, which rules in their hearts supremely. Lost men do not have grace within
to oppose the works and motions of the flesh. All they have is
a nature that is dead in trespasses and sin, that walks according
to the course of this world. The struggle doesn't begin within
a man until that man is born of God's Spirit and given the
gift of life and faith in Christ. This war between our flesh and
spirit is best for us. If it were not so, then God would
not allow it. God is in control of this fight
and has ordained it for us in His infinite wisdom and grace
This constant battle within our hearts is good for us because
it keeps us looking to Christ, ever seeking Him, His grace,
His help, His power. This lifelong fight will make
the prize that much sweeter when Jesus will present us to himself
as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other
blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5, 27