“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” (Rom. 7:18) The disciple of Christ is engaged each day in a battle. The enemy is Satan, for “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12; 1 Pet. 5:8). The devil is powerful and his influence can be seen in all aspects of human life. He is able to accuse and destroy those who yield to him in his destructive temptations. We must be diligent to keep our spiritual defenses up, standing strong in the power of the Lord, for he is clearly out to destroy us.  

            The reason the devil is able to affect us so negatively, however, is not due to his great power. God has already promised that Christ in us is a greater power than any outside force that comes against us (1 Jn. 4:4). Satan cannot overcome the child of God who is born from above, walking after the Spirit rather than the flesh. But he can certainly influence them. Why? The devil has influence over us at times because there is a part of us—the self-nature—that is so much like him and therefore is an easy target. It is that part of us that Paul calls “the flesh.” The apostle tells us plainly that “nothing good” dwells within the flesh. We are our own worst enemy. Were it not for the evil in our own heart, we would not listen to someone like the devil. We would be so full of God at all times that Satan would have no power at all in our lives. 

            We must come to grips with the fact that our greatest spiritual war is with ourselves.  There is no escape, for as long as we are in the body, the fleshly nature will haunt us.  We cannot eliminate the flesh anymore than we can stop being human. This is the cold, hard reality that is true of everyone, even believers. 

            Where then is there hope? In Jesus Christ, and Him alone! “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7:24-25, NIV). Because of the accomplishments of Christ, God lives within us. His nature is different from ours. Therefore, our success in overcoming “the enemy within” will always depend on how much of our life is yielded to Him.

Grace and Peace Ministries

www.gandpministries.org