Romans: Lesson 14 – Conflict

Romans: Lesson 14 – Conflict

The War Within

Scripture Focus: Romans 7:14-25 (NASB)

In this honest and relatable lesson, Chris Pope addresses the conflict that every believer experiences: the war between the flesh and the Spirit. Paul describes the struggle vividly: "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." We all dislike conflict, whether it is external with others or internal within our own hearts. But the internal conflict is often the most exhausting.

Chris explains that this struggle is not a sign that we are not saved. It is evidence that the Spirit is at work in us, convicting us and drawing us toward holiness. The law of sin is at war with the law of our minds, but thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, we are delivered. This lesson offers hope to anyone who feels trapped in the cycle of wanting to do good but failing. The answer is not in our own strength but in Christ alone.

Connect with Chris: Email: cpope@mydrsm.com Website: mydrsm.com

Scripture Focus:

Romans 7:14-25 (NASB) – "For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good. But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person, but I see a different law in the parts of my body waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, which is in my body's parts. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."