Self – An Adversary Of The Christian Soldier

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, January 11, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

SELF – AN ADVERSARY OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:14-25

Text: Romans 7:23

Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 

Introduction: Most of you are aware that our theme for this year is “Prepare for War in 2004.” I think many of you will also agree that one of the reasons the attack upon our country by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001 was so devastating was that we were not prepared for it. We did not expect it.

Let me say this morning that you Christians are under SPIRITUAL attack and many of you are not even aware of it. 

Bible students have long realized that there are three great enemies of the Christian: the world, the flesh, and the devil. This morning I want to talk to you about the second of these enemies, the FLESH, which I am going to call SELF in this morning’s message:

SELF – AN ADVERSARY OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

The flesh, part of yourself, is your ENEMY. Modern commentators and teachers, who generally do not believe in the infallibility of the WORDS of scripture as found in our King James Bibles, generally make the word “flesh” in the Bible refer simply to your old nature. It’s more than that. It’s your BODY!

Paul said that the law of sin was in his MEMBERS, WARRING against the law of his MIND.

This morning I want to pour out to you four special danger areas of your flesh.

I. BEWARE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH 

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

A. It will break down

B. It will betray you

C. It will battle you
     1. Galatians 5:17 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.
     2. Text – Rom. 7:23

II. BEWARE OF THE CONTENT OF THE FLESH

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 

A. It has no good desires
     1. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit …

B. It has no good deeds
     1. Galatians 5:19-21 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. 

III. BEWARE OF CONTROL BY THE FLESH

Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

A. It seeks to overcome your mind and spirit

B. It searches for an opening

C. It snares people gradually
     1. Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

IV. BEWARE OF CARELESSNESS WITH THE FLESH

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

A. Don’t provide for it

B. Don’t promote it

C. Don’t play with it

Conclusion:
Don’t be fooled by the flesh.
Don’t forget the flesh is your enemy.
Don’t feed the flesh (always yielding to its appetites).
Don’t fondle the flesh (playing with it, giving it opportunity to sin).
Don’t fight it in your own strength (Philippians 4:13).

YOU CAN WIN!!!

PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004!