Why do we still struggle with sin and habitual sin even after being saved?
Why do we still feel defeated even after knowing what Christ has done and knowing what we have received?
I have prayed in tongues and read the bible more but still can’t overcome lust.
In our previous article, we established the liberating truth that salvation is by faith alone, freeing us from the Law. We also established that this freedom is not a license to sin.
Yet, the question remains: If we are free, why do we still feel like slaves to our old habits? Why do we know the right path, only to stumble and repeat the failures we read about in Romans 7:14?
It’s a struggle I know intimately. The good news is the solution isn't in trying harder, but in tapping into the power we've already been given. It's time to move beyond the foundational truth of righteousness and learn the practical steps of overcoming sin by walking in the Spirit.
Paul continues this teaching in Romans:
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:6-16
Here you can see the distinction between those who are in the flesh and those who are in the Spirit. Since Christ has crucified sin in the flesh, He has also given us the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Paul mentions that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Furthermore, in the previous chapter, Paul describes what he could not do when he was under the law even though our heart’s desire is to please the Lord with good works.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
But in the first line of Chapter 8, it says:
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
In other words, Jesus Christ has fulfilled the law for us through His death, such that when God sees you today, he sees you as righteous as Jesus!
He also took upon all our condemnation/guilt upon himself including all the sins we will commit in the future.
HE HAS FREED YOU FROM ALL CONDEMNATIONS!
And because you are righteous, the Spirit of God can dwell in you! This was never possible before in the old testaments! The Holy Spirit could only ‘come upon‘ the prophets for a specific task and leave later on. He never lived in them.
So, if you want the Holy Spirit to work in us, do not live according to the flesh.
The more you listen to the Spirit, the more fruits you will produce.
How to overcome the works of the flesh
In Galatians 5, Paul writes that to walk in the Spirit, we must not give in to the lust of the flesh. Some may say this is easier said than done. And I’ve been through the struggles of temptations, and failing umpteen times—especially in the area of sexual immorality.
But the first step of walking in the Spirit is simply not to obey the obvious calls of the flesh, as mentioned by Paul.
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. 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. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:16-26
Notice that even envy is considered a sin itself.
Notice that the works of the flesh are many—twice more than the fruits of the Spirit. And the latter are not the works of the Spirit, but fruits of the Spirit.
Notice that true happiness that we all seek in life is not found in the works of the flesh, but as a fruit of the Spirit, which is Joy!
Notice that self-control (temperance) is also a fruit of the Spirit! 2 Timothy 1:7 says:
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
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In actual translation, a sound mind actually means discipline (self-control). Self-control not only means having the power to stay away from lust; it also means discipline, overcoming procrastination, and patience—it’s much more!
There is no law when you walk by the Spirit- but much more!
When we stop trying to fulfil the law or rely on our own efforts to defeat sin, but rely on the power of the Spirit, we can overcome sin.
When you walk in the Spirit, you go above and beyond the requirements of the law. The law says, “You shall not covet another man’s wife.” But the Spirit of God doesn't just prevent us from committing adultery; he will lead you to perhaps bring her out on a date even though you’ve had a quarrel. The law says, “You must not steal.” But the Spirit of God doesn’t just stop us from stealing; he will lead us to give.
The Spirit often direct our actions towards love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control- which are the fruits of the Spirit!
Abraham who lived before the time of Moses had the favour of God. Even though he lied to the king about Sarah being his sister. He even went out of Egypt with Gold and Silver!
When the Israelites came out of Egypt, they were complaining and murmuring about not having enough water and meat. And we know that complaining is a sin. But what was God’s response? He rained down mana and provided water from the rock.
But the moment the 10 commandments came in, they broke the first law by worshipping a false god and 3000 people died on that day.
On Pentecost, when Peter preached to the crowd, the bible said that about 3000 were filled with the Holy Spirit and saved!
This means the Letter kills, but the Spirit gives life! 2 Cor 3:6
When we stop relying on our own efforts to defeat sin, and rely on the power of the Spirit, we can overcome sin.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he had the Spirit of God with Him! The Spirit of God came upon Him when He was baptized and later led Him by the Spirit into the wilderness.
My dear friends, we have the Holy Spirit in us to help us overcome the flesh. So do not rely on your own human efforts. Trust and lean on Him who lives in you. Be aware and acknowledge the Spirit to guide you every day, and He will lead you.
In my next article on overcoming addictions, it’s an overlapping theme, but there is definitely more to study on this topic which the apostles have constantly reminded and warned us of.
So if this is something that you are still struggling, I encourage you to read on this.
Having said that, I consider this the first step we have to take as new believers—putting away our old selves and starting to walk by the Spirit. It’s like milk for baby Christians. Now, let us seek solid spiritual food:
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV)