The Tug of War Within Me
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
But I see 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. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:23-25)
Have you ever felt caught in a tug-of-war between your flesh and your spirit? Although your spirit wants to follow God, your flesh pulls you toward reactions you'll regret. If this sounds familiar, you're in good company. In Romans 7, Paul openly shared about this exact struggle. He wrote that there were times when he felt torn in two directions: his spirit desired to follow God, but his flesh and mind kept drawing him back to sinful habits.
Thankfully, Paul immediately offered us hope by answering his question of who would assist him with this: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The good news is that Jesus doesn't leave us stuck in our struggles. When Paul expressed his gratitude to God and focused on Him, he found the strength to overcome his battles within.
Paul discovered something important: everything else finds its proper place when life is centered on Jesus. The pleasures and desires of the world lose their grip because you discover something far better and longer-lasting. Paul understood that true joy and satisfaction come only through Christ, whether he lived here or looked forward to eternity.
Sometimes, even as believers, we are tempted to achieve our goals through worldly tactics—manipulating, envying, or hurting others to get ahead. But Paul reminds us that there's something much larger at stake. Every choice we make holds eternal significance. And remember, nothing we do escapes God's notice. He sees everything clearly, including our intentions. Knowing this encourages us to focus on what truly matters: aligning our lives with God's eternal values rather than temporary desires.
Practical Application
Remember who wins in a tug-of-war—the strongest side. Therefore, build your spirit by praying in tongues. Jude 1:20 states that praying in the Spirit will strengthen the real you, your spirit, enabling you to operate in “most holy faith.”
