EP 11: The Battle Within

There is a battle against flesh and blood waging within all of God’s children. It’s messy, frustrating, and exhausting, and it will not meet its end until Christ’s return. This week, Elle addresses the very reality of this battle and how to fight it from a place of victory according to Romans 7. 

Welcome

Hey, sis! Welcome to episode 11 of The Daughter of Delight Podcast. I’m so glad you’re here! 

Purpose of Today's EPisode

The purpose of today’s episode is to speak to something we, as God’s children, all have in common: the battle within. This is a battle we will continue to fight until Christ’s return. 

My Prayer

I pray this episode would motivate us to fight this battle with the truths of God’s Word in hand. I pray it would challenge us to focus more on living as a people of God’s Word rather than as a people who are of this world. Ya feel me, sis? 

Review of the Week

If you tune in to the podcast fairly often, then you know that each week I pick out a review of the week to give a sister a special shoutout! This week’s shoutout goes to 2Bird Whisperer. Here’s what she has to say about the podcast:Elle speaks from her heart and shares the Word as it applies to women who want to follow after God’s heart. I find it truly refreshing.  Thank you SO much for your kind words, 2Bird Whisperer. I have been so blessed by them! Sis, if you haven’t left a review yet, I would be so appreciative if you did! This is a very special way for us to partner together in helping to spread the news of what God is doing in and through the heart of Daughter of Delight. It would mean more than you know! Really and truly. 

About the Episode

Okay, so here is how today’s episode is going to work. I am going to address the battle within that Paul speaks of in Romans 7. Then, I am going to share an incredibly important, unchanging and lifegiving truth that applies to us because of our faith in Christ. And, finally, I will wrap things up by talking about the charge that we, as children of God have, to put on the new self. First thing’s first: let’s talk about the battle within and the dangers that come from being of this world rather than living Kingdom-minded. Make sure your listening ears are turned all the way up sis, because I’ve got a whole lot of truth coming your way! Here we go. 

The Battle Within

Sis, there is a battle we are waging within us between flesh and blood; between our newness in Christ and the old ways of our flesh.  And here’s what it looks like:Because of our newness in Christ, we love the Lord our God, His Word of truth, His church, and His will. But, as a result of the nature of our flesh, there are other desires within us that love self and the ways of the world, too. Our life as Christians involves a fight for holiness, and this is that fight. As children of God, we are called to resist temptation, to flee immorality and to fight the good fight. But it’s no easy fight. 

THE BATTLE WITHIN ACCORDING TO ROMANS 7

Paul speaks to the very reality of this battle in Romans 7. Take a look at verses 18-19 with me:For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.At first glance, this can come across sound confusing. But, read in the right light it makes a whole lot of sense! Paul is talking about the weight of sin in his life in these verses. I just have to say, I am so glad we have these verses from Paul. We need these verses to help us see what remains wrong with us after we accept Christ into our lives. You see, once we become a new creation, we go to battle with the old ways of our flesh. And it’s a messy battle.

The Purpose of the Law ACCORDING TO ROMANS 7

Now, a bit earlier in the passage, Paul talks about the law and the purpose of it. Romans 7:7 reads Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness.So what Paul is getting at here is that the Law is the good and right commandments that the Lord gives us in order to lead us in the direction of fullest life possible… but the sin within us takes advantage of it, creating in us all manner of rebellion against those good and right laws. 

The Battle Within is Frustrating, Confusing and Exhausting

This can lead to a frustrating and confusing battle within us as we strive to love the Lord in our day-to-day lives. In verse 15 of chapter 7, Paul says:“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Paul is confused why a mature believer like himself would still struggle with sin. Why, even in the midst of pursuing a life of godliness and holiness, sin still continued to show up on his doorstep. Thankfully, he doesn't stop there. Take a look at verses 16-18 with me:"Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."Have you ever caught yourself thinking or doing something you shouldn’t have and then wondering why on earth you thought or did it in the first place? This is what Paul is getting at here. Sin shows up uninvited! Even in the life of the man who authored 13 letters of the New Testament. It creeps in the cracks and the crevices of our lives, even though we want nothing to do with it. And it can be extremely manipulative and deceiving. 

Sin is what's wrong with you

So, if you’ve ever wondered “What is wrong with me”, THIS is what’s wrong with you. With all of us. We struggle with sin and the struggle is real. The internal strife this battle between our newness in Christ and the old ways of our flesh causes is painful and exhausting. And it will not face its end until Christ’s return. 

Why We Must Fight the Battle Within

Here’s the thing though: we must and we CAN keep fighting because THE ultimate battle has already been won. And we belong to its Victor. Christ defeated death and it is NO more! And upon His return, sin and darkness will flee and Satan will be gone for good.But while we wait, Satan lurks. And he will do everything in his power to convince us that he has the authority in our lives; that he has the upper hand. Satan knows the ways in which our sin can -- and does -- blind us. And you better believe he will use it to his advantage until he no longer can. He delights in our fears and our weaknesses, and he will tempt us in every way he possibly can with them in order to distract us; in order to fix our eyes on the ways of this world so that we would place the priority of self above God. 

A Modern-Day Example of the Battle Within

Let me give you a very modern-day example of this. We live in a very digital age, which makes it way too easy for us to learn about each other in a matter of minutes. In addition, it’s also really easy, and in some ways even encouraged, for us to harbor feelings of jealousy and envy toward someone. Someone who makes it look like their life is so much better than yours. Someone whose Instagram feed is filled with the highlights and the luxuries this life has to offer. When this happens, the enemy perks up and invites us to play the comparison game one of two ways: with the pride piece or the self-destruction piece. By this, I mean we either pick out all the flaws of someone we can find and make ourselves believe that we are better and look better than them for reasons X,Y and Z, or we get so caught up in this person’s life that we become blinded to the beauty of our own life and experience extreme disappointment, dissatisfaction and discouragement as a result.Sis, I don’t have to tell you that this is a dangerous game to play. But I do want to remind you that it only results in one thing -- the very thing Satan calls a success -- we shift our gaze from God to self. And when this happens, we find ourselves feeding into the “more, more, more” mentality that our sin nature thrives on.This is only one of the many, many ways we are fighting the battle within. And it is so important that we acknowledge our depravity -- our true need for and dependence on God.

Jesus is Always Better!

I say this because our sin nature wants us to believe that what this world has to offer us is better than Jesus. But that’s just not true. Jesus is and always will be better than anything. Nothing and noone else compares. Hebrews 13:5 says, “be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”And Hebrews 13:14 tells us, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”Sis, while we fight this battle within until Christ’s return, let us choose to be thankful for what we do have -- because it is enough. Let us seek the city that is to come -- because Jesus is and always will be better! And I don’t know about you, but the city that is to come already takes my breath away at the very thought of. This is the city I want to be a part of.

Today's Episode Brought to You By Happily

This week’s episode is brought to you by Happily. Happily is a super fun monthly subscription service that delivers themed dates directly to your doorstep. My husband Michael and I love Happily because of how committed they are to helping couples make meaningful moments with one another. Plus, Michael is a homebody and I love date nights, so this is a great meet in the middle option for us and gives us something to look forward to each month! This month, we listened to their custom made playlist, played some love bingo and learned how to make mini donuts together! Check them out and get your first DateBox for HALF the normal price!Go to thehappilyco.com and enter code DAUGHTEROFDELIGHT for 50% off your first datebox! You can also find the link in the show notes. In showing Happily some love, you are also showing Daughter of Delight some love too. Your purchase allows me to continue making time to do what I love most, which is spreading the Good News of God’s Word to the ears of the women He has entrusted me to serve! Alright, let’s get back to our episode now!

The Truth About the Battle Within

Okay, so now that we have established what the battle within is and now that we have taken a look at an example of it, I want to talk about a powerful, life-giving and unchanging truth. A truth that we can gladly go to battle with. A truth that is filled with victory. Are you ready for it?

SIN IS NOT YOUR KING. JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR KING.

And, as 1 John 4:4 says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."Sis, let’s go! This truth is so good so I’m about to say it again.He who is in you, yes Y-O-U, is greater than he who is in the world! And since we have got the ball rollin’ here on this one, I want to read two more verses from 1 John to tie it all together!  The first is 1 John 5:4 and it says,  “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (ESV). And next up, we have 1 John 2:2, which tells us, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (ESV).

Sin is a Remaining Reality for Us All

Sis, our sin nature may be a remaining reality for us all until Christ comes again, but this truth tells us right here that the battle against temptation has already been won. And, as much as our sin will try to make us believe that we are utter failures, the truth is that God loves His children, even at their worst. Even on our worst days, we can fight this fight- because it’s not from our strength that we fight, but the power of His strength and Spirit in us!Because of what Christ has done for us, our union with God cannot and will not be broken. In Christ, we have victory over the world that opposes Him. I love that Paul speaks to the very reality of this battle within that we are all fighting and will continue to fight until the very end. It’s such a strong reminder that we are all fighting the same fight; that we are not alone in this fight. I mean, again, Paul struggled with this and he wrote a HUGE portion of the New Testament. Sin does not discriminate, sis. Paul was no exception to this truth. As much comfort as I find in Paul’s word here in Romans 7, I just love what he goes on to say in Romans 8. Let’s take a look at it!

Romans 8 Encouragement for the Battle Within

In Romans 8:1, Paul says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (ESV).In light of our ongoing sinfulness, Paul calls us to remember our acceptance and security in Christ. These are two things we cannot lose. These are two things that are with us in this fight. The Son of God took on the judgement and condemnation that we deserve so that we would not have to. And because of this, there is no condemnation remaining for those who are in Christ. Paul uses a double negative in his word usage of, “no condemnation” here in Romans 8:1 to emphasize the truth that we are justified in Christ. Sis, this is the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God! 

Victory in Jesus

What Christ accomplished on the cross is why we fight from a place of victory. Yes, we are fighting this battle from a place of victory. We are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from victory. This is a powerful, powerful truth that I pray will carry you through -- even on your worst days -- as we continue to fight this fight until we take our last breath or until Christ comes again. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

A Charge For God’s People

To wrap up today’s episode, I want to charge you with the words of Colossians 3 to put on the new self! Colossians 3:1 says, “If then you have been raised with Chist, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (ESV).

Put on the New Self

Sis, look up. Seek the things that are above. Focus on life with the Spirit more than the temptations and desires of your flesh. In doing so, your identity in Christ will continue to take shape as you get to know Him more and more. And as you become more and more transformed into His image, you will experience an increase in victories over the sin in your physical life. Yes, there is still sin within us as children of God, but the Good News in all of this is that we are making progress and moving forward into greater conformity to the image of Christ.The more we set our eyes on Him, the more we will be able to, as Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death what is earthly in you” (ESV). Because in Him, our hearts will be transformed and strengthened in the most refining and beautiful of ways, from the inside out. 

The Battle Within You

This battle that’s within you? You’ve got it. You know how I know this? Because He’s got you.He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world. And don’t you forget it! 

Thank You

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode on the battle within. I pray it reminded you of the truth that you are not alone in this fight. We are all fighting this fight from a place of victory because of what our King accomplished on the cross! May this truth fuel us all as we continue to battle against the old ways of our flesh. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review! I am so intentional about structuring these episodes in a way that is straightforward and truth-filled, and it would mean a lot to me to know that you are enjoying all that God is using me to share within each one! 

Next Week

I am SO excited for next week’s episode, because we are going to be talking all about biblical dating. What it is, the struggles that come with it, some very important boundaries to have in place (I like to call these the Golden Rules). And I’m also devoting the latter half of the episode to YOUR questions. If you have a question regarding Christian dating, email it to me at hello@daughterofdelight.com because I will be answering several of them! Okay, sis, hope you have a great rest of your week! Go and share His glory. Talk soon!

More

Did you enjoy this week's episode? Find more encouragement here or check out last week's podcast episode here!