Conflict of Interest

Temple Baptist Church - 4-8-2018

Romans 7:7-25

Introduction:

A.  In the last couple of chapters, we have seen our relationship to both sin and the Law:

1.  We are dead to sin!  Romans 6:1-2  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

2.  We are dead to the Law!  Romans 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

B.  Now that we are established in these two important biblical facts, let us look at the heart and life of the great Apostle Paul.  This will help us in two ways:

1.  How to spiritually succeed biblically.

2.  How to handle spiritual failure biblically.

C.  We, just as the Apostle Paul, are a trichotomy in our image of God and a dichotomy in our relation to our life in this world.

1.  Trichotomy – three in one: body, world conscious—soul, self-conscious—spirit, God conscious.

2.  Dichotomy – two in one: an old nature that is sinful and a new creature that is holy.

D.  Thus, a conflict of interest!  A situation in which a person is involved in multiple interests where serving one the interests could involve working against one of the other interest. 

Romans 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-25  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.  (18)  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  (19)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  (20)  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  (21)  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  (24)  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  (25)  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

James 4:5-7  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  (6)  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  (7)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

E.  Though we have the Holy Spirit and a desire to serve Christ, we also live in a flesh that has an old nature that desires the things of the world.  You hear from some religious people about the eradication of the flesh whereby a child of God eventually lives a sinless life.  I have a problem with such people because 1) they have not the conviction of the Holy Spirit and 2) they have called God a liar!

1 John 1:8, 10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us ...  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1.  It is by the Law that we know what sin is.  Verse 7.  1 Timothy 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

2.  Paul was alive without the Law.  Verses 8-9.  He thought he was doing God’s will by persecuting the church.  1 Corinthians 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

3.  The Law is holy and right.  Verses 10-13.  The work of the Law is to bring about sinfulness and point us to Christ.  Galatians 3:24-25  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

f.  Positionally, we are dead to the Law but Practically, we are still sinners and come short of the Law.  Thus, the Conflict of Interest.

F.  Let’s break these verses down.

1.  Carnality – Verses 14-15.  Though we are saved positionally, practically our flesh is not saved.  Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2.  Consent – Verse 16.  When the child of God does wrong (he knows that what he is doing is evil),  he agrees with the Law that the Law is holy and right.

3.  Conflict – Verses 17-22.  There is a constant battle between the newness of the spiritual man and the wicked of our sinful flesh.

James 4:1  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

4.  Captivity – Verses 23-24.  Your flesh tries to control your mind bringing you into spiritual captivity. 

2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

5.  Confidence – Verses 24-25.  One day, this old body will be changed and we will get a new one that is holy.

1 Corinthians 15:50-54  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  (51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.