Holy Spirit part 8: The Christian’s Victory in the Spirit

Prayer Prompt: Lord, empower me to live by the Spirit and seek after things that lead to life and freedom.

Read: Romans 8

Introduction:  Ever play spiritual tug of war?  There is no end to this game.  Even the most mature among us experience the intense stress of internal angst.  This familiar passage leading up to chapter 8 rings true.   

I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. –Romans 7:14-15 The Message

The good news is God not only left heaven to put on our disheveled skin, but after saving us does not leave us alone to fight.  He is constantly in our corner and daily changing you to become all that He created you to be. 

Study: Romans 8: 1-17, 23-27

·         Make a T-chart (see graphic for example) and list everything you learn about the Spirit versus the flesh.  For example, after reading verse 2 you could write under the Spirit column: is life.

·         Another list! (Can I confess I sometimes write things on a list after I’ve done them just so I can cross them off) You may use a T-chart again if you prefer graphic organizers.  Hunt for two things: what things are your part in spiritual growth and what things does God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) do on your behalf?

·         Describe our roles in connection to God found in verses 14-17.

·         How does the Holy Spirit help us in prayer?

What Does it Mean to Me:

·         Do you ever get caught up in doing the things that are God’s job?  Do you ever neglect the things He commands you to do?

·         This chapter is about two governing powers that live in you.  Our flesh, the sin-nature, is constantly rebelling against God.  Verse 5 states that who has the Spirit also has  the mind of the Spirit and consequently a desire for spiritual fruit.  For every Christian this inner battle is a daily struggle.  How do we live our lives with a mind taping into our spiritual nature?  See Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:10, and Titus 3:5.

·         To live in the Spirit is to embrace being an adopted child of God.  Read Galatians 3:29-4:7.  Why are we not natural children?  What was our adoption process like?  What images in this passage show God’s pursuit of love for you?

·         Ever feel like your prayers aren’t effective?  Want to pray God’s will for you but don’t know what it is?  Verse 26 and 27 is a huge encouragement to me when I feel this way.  Which parts of the God-head intercede for you (see verse 34, Hebrews 7:25, 9:24)?  Read Ephesians 6:18-20.  How often do you intercede for other believers? What about those preaching the gospel?

Live it Out:  So let’s take a spiritual dipstick.  Are you living in the flesh or the Spirit? Pick a day, or a few hours if possible, and track where you think your thoughts and actions fall.  Be careful, this can be a way for pride or guilt to creep in.  Remember we are saved by faith, not works, so no matter where you fall there is no reason to think God is pleased or disappointed with your performance.  Our faith shouldn’t be lived out by lists, so use this exercise only to build up a conscious awareness of the choices we make and maybe reveal some areas that we need to seek the Lord in. 

Meditation: Write down a verse or truth God has shown you today through this study.  Put it somewhere you will see it often and remember His personal, life-giving word for you.