Follow along at www.armchairtheology.org Fighting Sin with the Spirit Follow along at www.armchairtheology.org

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” 1. I do not do what I want Double Nature 2. I do the very thing I hate

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Condemnation (verse 1) Paul beings chapter 8 with the word “Therefore” The Greek word for “therefore” is oun Oun is a conjunction. What is a conjunction?

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Condemnation (verse 1) Despite our struggle with sin Despite our “double nature” Despite doing things we hate; If we are in Christ, we are not condemned.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Condemnation (verse 1)

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Condemnation (verse 1) Our legal position as Christians is “not condemned.” To be “not condemned” means to be free from any debt or penalty. According to Romans 5:16 and 18, “no condemnation” means the same thing as justified.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Condemnation (verse 1) “No condemnation” is not a temporary thing! Once we are justified, we can not become “unjustified.” There is nothing but acceptance and welcome for us.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) The Problem of Forgetfulness (verse 1) Two things can happen if we forget Romans 8:1 1. We feel more guilt, unworthiness and pain than we should. 2. We will be less motivated to live a holy life.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) No Slavery (verse 2) The Holy Spirit has freed us from the bondage of sin in our hearts. Verse 1 tells us that we are delivered from the legal condemnation of our sin. Verse 2 tells us that we are delivered from the actual power of our sin.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) How God did it (verses 3-4) In verses 3-4, Paul shows how God achieved salvation. According to verse 3, He sent His Son to become human. According to verse 4, the work of the Spirit empowers us to obey the law.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Why God did it (verse 4) Why did God send His son to bear our condemnation and why did He send His Spirit to break our bondage to sin? Verse 4 tells us that everything Christ did for us: his incarnation, his death, and his resurrection were all in order that we might live a holy life.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) The Divine Contrast (verses 4-9) The contrast between the Holy Spirit and the flesh Lifestyle (v 4b-5a): living according to the flesh versus living according to the Holy Spirit. Mind-set (v5b-7): the mind of flesh versus the mind of the Spirit. Position (v 8-9a): being in the flesh versus being in the Spirit.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Mind Matters (verse 5) For any real change in overcoming sin in our lives, we cannot rely on our own efforts, but only on the work of the Holy Spirit. In order to overcome sin in our lives, we must “have our minds set on things of the Spirit.”

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) The Things of the Spirit To “set your mind on things of the Spirit” means that you think about the same things that the Spirit would think about.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) The Things of the Spirit Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life  appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) The Things of the Spirit We are to be preoccupied with our standing in Christ. To “mind . . .the things of the spirit” (Romans 8:5) means to never forget our privileged standing or the fact that we are loved.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Everybody Minds Something (verses 5-6) We will either be preoccupied with things of the Spirit or “the sinful nature.” The N.I.V. translates the word “flesh” as “sinful nature.” “Flesh” or “sinful nature” are the worldview that is worldly rather than godly. “Flesh” or “sinful nature” are the worldview that is self-centered rather than Christ-focused.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Hostile to God (verses 7-11) Our minds are not neutral. We cannot love one preoccupation without rejecting the other. A mind that is set on the flesh will naturally be hostile to God. According to verse 8, this hostility makes us incapable of pleasing God.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Hostile to God (verses 7-11) There is good news though! According to verse 9, every Christian is “not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.” When we were regenerated, we became righteous in God’s sight, and the Holy Spirit came in and made us spiritually alive.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11) Hostile to God (verses 7-11) For now, though, there is still within us the remaining sinful nature, which is hostile to our growing spiritual life. If we let the remaining sinful nature alone – if we allow it to prosper and grow – there will be trouble. We must, by the Spirit, attack and put it to death. The more we put to death the sinful nature, the more we will enjoy the spiritual life that the Holy Spirit gives: life and peace.

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)

Fighting Sin with the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)