11/30/2025
WORD OF THE DAY FROM PASTOR RICKY & SHARON PHILLIPS - SPIRIT-FILLED MINISTRIES
There is an internal conflict in every believer that pulls him or her toward sin. Even when you love God the flesh is weak. In Romans 7:15, the apostle Paul says: “For what I will to do, I do not do; but what I hate, that I do.” Paul is describing the believer’s struggle... his included. The inner man (born-again spirit) wants to obey God, but the flesh (old sin nature) pulls toward sin. Like us, the apostle Paul knew this inner struggle. He too wrestled with temptation, weaknesses, impulsiveness, selfishness, pride, old habits, old thinking, old reactions, and desires that didn't line up with God's word.
Paul didn’t want these things, yet sometimes they still showed up. Paul even admitted, “the good that I want to do, I don’t do" (Romans 7:19). This apostle was truly honest in his personal examination of himself! (I love this dude for this).
Paul called this experience “the law of sin at work in my members.” This means something other than God is at work in every believer...."the sinful nature." Every believer has this sinful nature because Jesus saved the soul and spirit at salvation, but the body is yet to be redeemed. This is why the body still dies even after receiving salvation. From the dust it was taken and to dust it shall return.
However, the body will be fully redeemed at the rapture. Paul taught that believers shall be CHANGED at Jesus' return! Mortality will put on immortality and our coruptible bodies will becomes incorruptible (1Corinthians 15:51-52). This glorious transition from a temporary, "natural" body to a permanent, "spiritual" body will occur in the blink of an eye, signaled by the sounding of the "last trumpet". The dead in Christ will be "raised incorruptible," and the living will be instantaneously "changed," so that all believers will have glorified bodies to meet the Lord on that glorious day!
What a day that will be!!!
The inner struggle is real and constant. Paul knew this. Paul was not saying he lived an unrepentant lifestyle. He is saying there is a conflict inside every believer even when you love God and serve him from the heart.
Paul asked the question:
“Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ!” (Romans 7:24). Paul was teaching believers that the flesh has power, but Christ has greater power and the Spirit empowers what the flesh could never do!!
I know many of you who love God sometime feel condemned when you fall short, but Paul taught believers in Romans 8:1–2 “There is therefore NOW no condemnation to those who are in Christ who walk not after the flesh, but after the flesh.” Beloved walk in the Spirit and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Be encouraged in your walk with God and be assured we have complete victory in this warfare through Jesus Christ! For we are more than conquerors through Jesus.
Blessings 🙌
