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September 9, 2016

Winning The Battle Within

by Dennis Rouse
Romans 7:15-25 NLTI don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but Idon’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doingis wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not theone doing wrong; it is sin
Sermon Notes

Romans 7:15-25 NLT
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I
don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing
is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the
one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that
nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what
is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want
to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to
do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does
it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what
is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my
heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my
mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that
is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey
God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
James 1:12-16 NKJ
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted,
“I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does
He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn
away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings
forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Progression of Temptation:

  1. Desire/Enticed
  2. Conceives in the mind
  3. Acted on
  4. Becomes a stronghold/habit
  5. Conscience is seared
  6. Move away from God/Death
    1 Peter 5:8-11 NKJ
    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
    like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him,
    steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are
    experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all
    grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you
    have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
    To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
    Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJ
    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
    might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
    against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and
    blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
    the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
    heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you
    may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
    stand.
    Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJ
    Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the
    breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
    preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith
    with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
    one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
    which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and
    supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all
    perseverance and supplication for all the saints…

Temptations Come Through Three Primary Areas:

  1. Lust of the Eyes
  2. Lust of the Flesh
  3. Pride of Life
    1 John 2:15-17 NKJ
    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
    world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—
    the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not
    of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and
    the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
    2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJ
    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
    For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
    pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high
    thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
    thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to
    punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
    STRONGHOLD: mindset impregnated with hopelessness which
    causes you to accept as UNCHANGEABLE situations that you know
    are contrary to the will of God

Steps to Winning the Battle Within:

  1. Identify and admit the strongholds in your life.
  2. Realize God will never allow you to be tempted beyond your ability
    to handle it.
    1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJ
    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
    but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what
    you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of
    escape, that you may be able to bear it.
  3. Become proactive with your soul.
    Things You’ll Have to Change:
    A. Change your feeding pattern.
    B. Change your speaking pattern.
    C. Change your environment pattern.
  4. Take the 40-day challenge!
Wherever you are
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