Frustration! A Real Dog Fight

Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 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. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 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.

I take solace in the fact that the greatest Christian in history went through the same frustrations that we face on a regular basis.

We have a duplicitous nature within us which causes the strongest of us to acquiesce
time and again to sin.

Actually, there are two natures within each believer fighting for control. The natural man, our sinful nature, driven by the flesh which wants to fulfill its desires, while the spiritual man, made alive by the Spirit of God within us which desires to serve and honor God.

Our evangelist friend Al Wells, now with the Lord, tells how an old Indian medicine
man, saved by God's grace, explained this dichotomy within. He said that there are two dogs fighting within him, a white dog and a black dog. "Which one wins?" the
evangelist asked him. "The one I say 'sick 'em' to!"

This is so true, but actually, it is more that we say "sick 'em" to the Lord in that it is He that we yield ourselves to so that He might give strength for the victory.

Even today, the battle will rage within you to stay strong for the Lord or give in to the old nature. You will have a choice to make, so foster the new nature by relying on the Holy Spirit, saying no to the old man within you!