The Struggle That Never Ends - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- Apr 22
- 6 min read
The Struggle That Never Ends
Romans 7:14-25
Intro: In these verses, Paul talked about:
A. The Disparity – vs. 14 “…the law is spiritual: but I am carnal…”
B. The Disgust – vs. 15-21
C. The Delight – vs. 22 “For I delight in the law of God…”
D. The Deliverance – vs. 23-25 “…who shall deliver me…”
I. The Source of the Struggle
The struggle exists because of our two natures.
The old man, and the new man.
You got one when you were born, and you got the other when you were born again.
You got one from your earthy father, and the other from your Heavenly Father.
The struggle exists because:
· The Flesh is Dead to God and the Spirit is Alive unto God.
· The Flesh is Unregenerated and the Spirit has been Quickened.
· The Flesh is Carnal and the Spirit is Consecrated.
· The Flesh gets Indignant at God while the Spirit is Inspired by God.
· The Flesh is Disgusted with spiritual things, but the Spirit is Delighted by them.
· The Flesh is Resistant to the Word of God, but the Spirit is Reliant on it.
· The Flesh is Wicked in God’s presence, and the Spirit Worships in His presence.
· The Flesh is filled with Animosity toward God; the Spirit is filled with Adoration towards God.
The struggle exists because two polar opposites are living in the same body.
The struggle began when you got saved, and will not end until we receive our glorified body.
If there is no battle; no war; no struggle, you’re lost.
The fact you’re torn between right and wrong is a good thing.
If you’re not struggling, you’re either unsaved or your conscience is seriously defiled.
If you NEVER have the attributes of a spiritual man, something is terribly wrong.
II. The Spectrum of the Struggle
I want us to notice the spectrum of the struggle.
The effects of being carnal or being spirit filled literally impact every aspect of the believer’s life.
The carnal man hates to pray; the spiritual man loves his prayer closet.
The carnal man hates to read the Bible; the spiritual man can hardly put it down.
The carnal man hates to go to church; the spiritual man looks forward to it every service.
The carnal man hates to give; the spiritual man gives cheerfully and liberally.
The carnal man hates to witness; the spiritual man loves share the Gospel.
The carnal man hates to be an example; the spiritual man loves influence others for Christ.
The carnal man hates to volunteer; the spiritual man enjoys serving others in need.
The carnal man is impatient; the spiritual man exercises patience and longsuffering.
The carnal man is hateful; the spiritual man is loving and kind and gracious.
The carnal man is miserable; the spiritual man is joyful, enthusiastic, singing and rejoicing.
The carnal man is harsh; the spiritual man is tactful, respectful, diplomatic and understanding.
The carnal man is selfish; the spiritual man is sacrificial, generous, and thoughtful.
The carnal man is lustful; the spiritual man guards his heart, his eyes, his ears and his passions.
The carnal man is stubborn and unreasonable; the spiritual man is easy to be intreated and humble.
The carnal man looks for loopholes and opportunities to sin; the spiritual man puts up guardrails.
The carnal man gets bitter and holds grudges; the spiritual man forgives and is merciful.
The carnal man loses his temper; the spiritual man exercises self control and restraint.
The carnal man speaks his mind; the spiritual man bridles his tongue.
The carnal man hurts people; the spiritual man helps, encourages, blesses and edifies others.
The carnal man breaks his word; the spiritual man fulfils his obligations, regardless of how difficult.
The carnal man lies; the spiritual man tells the truth, even if it hurts or makes him look bad.
The carnal man is a leech, a parasite and expects others to pay his way; the spiritual man pays his bills
The carnal man is lazy; a spiritual man works hard, is diligent, is responsible and reliable.
The carnal man is an addict; a spiritual man avoids anything that can control him or destroy him.
The carnal man is hardhearted; the spiritual man is tender, sensitive, and is not afraid to weep.
The carnal man is never wrong; the spiritual man apologizes to those he has wronged.
The carnal man passes the blame; the spiritual man acknowledges his mistakes and owns them.
The carnal man mistreats his wife; the spiritual man loves her, cherishes her, and protects her.
The carnal man neglects his children; a spiritual man will bring them up in the admonition of the Lord.
The carnal man avoids the pastor; a spiritual man will enjoy his company and welcome his influence.
The carnal man causes division in the church; a spiritual man works tirelessly to bring unity.
The carnal man gossips and sows discord; a spiritual man understands the damage it can bring.
The carnal man doesn’t understand world missions and soulwinning; a spiritual man does.
The carnal man will never visit the sick and hurting; the spiritual man will do it often and love it.
The carnal man sleeps in church; the spiritual man will be an asset to the service and be involved.
The carnal man is a burden to the church; a spiritual man is a blessing to the church.
The carnal man is a hindrance; the spiritual man is a help to the furtherance of the ministry.
We could go on and on and on.
The wide spectrum of the struggle is astounding.
It’s not just a slight difference; carnal men and spiritual men are polar opposites.
The carnal man will never know the blessings of God like the spiritual man.
Their lives will be completely different on so many levels that we don’t have time to mention them all.
What is strange to me is how many Christians do not seem to be the least bit bothered that they are carnal.
Their attitude toward being spiritual is like a fat man watching a Triathlon while eating a dozen donuts.
“Man, I wish I could do that” all while stuffing another crème-filled pastry into his face.
“It’s available, but not for me.”
“It’s great if you can pull it off, but it’s just too much trouble.”
You might say, “Well, I’m just carnal. I can’t help it.”
First of all, we are all “just carnal” if we don’t so anything to fight it!
Secondly, you CAN help it.
Here’s how:
III. The Solution to the Struggle
There is only one way to survive the struggle.
You and I must be SPIRIT-FILLED.
Here is how that process works:
1. Reckon yourself dead to sin.
· Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. Yield yourself to the Spirit.
· Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
· Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
3. We must walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5
· 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
· 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
4. Pray in the Holy Ghost to build up your spiritual man.
· Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
5. Put the old man in its proper place - every day.
· 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
