Winning the Battle

I am so grateful that Paul did not end his letter when he finished Romans chapter 7. Even though it ends on a high note, it leaves a lot of questions. After reading the long discussion about his struggles, I am always excited when he gets to the end and says, “Thank God for Jesus.” (well, that is the gist of it)  But I almost am left thinking, “But Paul, I’m still struggling. I get it that I can’t do it on my own, but do I just sit and wait for Jesus to deliver me?” Pretty sure that is not what Paul means. Then, I go to the next chapter, which is FULL of practical tips on how to live a life of victory. Here are just a few things that I see in this wonderful chapter.

1. Do not live under condemnation

Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I believe that the biggest hindrance to living in victory is condemnation. Guilt will rob you of joy and confidence. If you belong to Christ, you have given your life to Him, you are not condemned. When you do something that is disobedient to God, you realize it, you feel bad about it, you should be genuinely sorry;  but you confess it and accept His complete forgiveness. When you feel guilty, you just want to hide. You walk with down and your relationship is damaged. You are powerless to make healthy changes.

2. Gain control of your thoughts

Romans 8:5-6 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the SPIRIT is life and peace.”

When we set our mind on anything, we dwell on it, think about it all the time. I might think about eating an Oreo…and I keep thinking about how the Oreo is sweet and delicious, the wafers are crisp and chocolaty, the inside is creamy and sweet. That is setting my mind on the Oreo. BUT, maybe I decide I WILL NOT eat the Oreo. I consider that the Oreo is not good for me, it is full of sugar and preservatives, it will make me gain weight, the chocolate will get all over my teeth…I am still setting my mind on the Oreo.

Dreaming about committing a sin brings mental and spiritual death. Dwelling on NOT committing that sin also brings mental and spiritual death. Instead, determine to think about things of God; verses you know, the things that God is doing, what God is speaking to you or asking you to do.

3. Let God take control and follow Him

Rom 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)                                                                            Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

You do not HAVE to do what the flesh wants to do. You choose. God wants to help you. Let him lead you. Make a commitment to just obey.

4. Cry out to God when you are in trouble

Rom 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

Abba is the Greek name that we would use “Daddy”! That is the first cry of a child in trouble. The almighty God is ready to come when we cry out, and He wants us to call Him “Daddy”.  When tempted, cry out.

5. Believe that God has plans for you

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

You may have a lot of bad choices in your past. You may have a lot of hurts in your past. And you may have consequences that are painful. But, God still has a plan, and he will use all of those things to work together for your good.

6. Be confident that God is FOR you

Rom 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

God, God who created the universe with his voice, God who controls the oceans. God who put the stars in the sky. God is FOR you.

7. Believe that God loves you

Rom 8:35-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God loves you all the time. He never stops loving you. Even on your worst days, he still loves you.