Conquering the Battle Within

New Year, New You  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Introduction
As we continue in this new year, we want to look at ways that we can see a “new us” come about… something better than before.
Last week, we talked about the importance of being “born again” and how that is the best decision that we could ever make. It would be really nice if we could just make that decision and everything would fall into place perfectly, but we all know that life doesn’t work that way. Even after making that wonderful decision, there is the rest of our lives here to live… and that can be tough.
Today, I want to talk about how each of us can conquer the battle that goes on within each of us on a daily basis. While making the decision to trust and follow Jesus settles our eternal destination, it also gives us victory in the here and now.
In , Paul shares about how we can conquer a battle that is taking place within each of us on a daily basis. He shares with us three things that we can do to see victory in our daily lives.

Walk by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16–18 CSB
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Ephesians 5:16
Ephesians 5:16–18 CSB
making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:
Paul wrote these verses to Christians in the church in the region of Galatia. These were not “super Christians” but your everyday followers of Jesus. It is easy to think that this is for those elite who stand out front, but it is for anyone and everyone who calls on the name of Jesus.
Paul shares that we are to “walk by the Spirit.” Walk here means to follow someone in a particular direction. This was a common thing in the first century. Followers of a certain teacher/master would leave everything many times and walk step in step with their master. This is what Jesus calls every Christian to do - to walk step in step with Him.
In verse 17, Paul shows that this is a continual action. It is not just for a season or a moment when we want to. In order to see the power of God in our lives, we must walk continuously with Him. It is in this continual walking that we see the daily victories because there is no neutral ground. We are either walking with Him or against Him.
Paul also shows us the intensity of the battle that lies within. Many times, we are tempted to think that the problem is “out there” in the sinful world, but the truth is that the biggest part of the battle takes place within - in our flesh. The flesh is the part of us that has been affected by sin and wants to disobey God. This battle is very intense because we see that the Holy Spirit and our flesh have competing agendas. They will never line up.
Illustration: Native American Grandfather Sharing Truth With Grandson
An old Native American was teaching his grandson about life one day. He said, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil - full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, and other horrible things. The other is good - full of joy, peace, truth, generosity, humility, and kindness. The same fight is going on inside of you and every person.” The grandson though for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The grandfather simply replied, “The one you feed.”
In verse 18, Paul states that if someone is led by the Spirit, then they are not under the law. This does not mean that just because we are Christians that we can disobey laws that are around us. This is not a license to sin. Rather, it is showing that the law of God was given to reveal our sin and need of a Savior. If we want to try and “be good enough” on our own, we will fall short every time. Our flesh will not allow us to do that. Paul is showing that God has given us the key to winning the battle against sin and the flesh through following Him and His ways.

Recognize the Fruit

A second thing that Paul shares with us in experiencing victory in our lives is to recognize the fruit of our lives. This is an evaluation step. How does one know if he or she is walking by the Spirit? The answer to that question lies in what is coming out of their lives.
Galatians 5:19–23 CSB
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
In verses 19-23, Paul shares some vices of the flesh and virtues of the Spirit that appear in a person’s life. These are not exhaustive lists, but they are enough to show one exactly who they are listening to in life.

The vices of the flesh

Galatians 5:19–21 CSB
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul states that these vices of the flesh are obvious. They do not reflect God nor His ways. When a person chooses to not walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit, he or she will see these vices describe his or her life. Paul also warns that those who consistently show these things do not have any true part in the family of God.

The virtues of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 CSB
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
Paul goes on to show that when a person is truly walking by the Spirit, this fruit of the Spirit has a way of showing itself clearly in his or her life. It is not something that a person has to manufacture; it simply happens.
Illustration: Tree producing fruit
Have you ever noticed that a tree does not have to strain to put out its fruit? If the tree is healthy, the fruit will simply come. When we are healthy and walking by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will naturally flow from our lives.
When you look at your life, which list better describes you? This will show you if you are walking by the Spirit or in the flesh.

Remember the Good News

When we realize that the battle within is a reality and see that it is intense, we can easily feel overwhelmed. It may be for this reason that Paul shares one more thing that will help us find victory in our daily lives. He encourages us to remember the good news.
Good news is always welcomed, isn’t it? We hear so much bad news each day that we need to be reminded that it is all not bad.
Paul shares two reasons that though the battle is real and intense, we are not left powerless.

We belong to Christ

Galatians 5:24 CSB
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Paul reminds us that if we have put our faith and trust into Jesus Christ, then we belong to Him. We are His prized possession and nothing can take us away from Him. Just as Jesus was crucified, those who follow Him also crucify our fleshly desires and passions so that we might partake in something greater… something that will bring us life!

We possess the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:25–26 CSB
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:25-26
When we trusted Christ, we not only became His, but He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to live as we ought. It is this same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It is this same Holy Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation holding everything in its place.
Because we have the Holy Spirit living within us, we have a choice now that we did not have before. Before Christ, we had to live by the fleshly desires. Now that the Holy Spirit is living within us, we can crucify the flesh and live as God desires.
Conclusion
It would be so nice if all we had to do was one time put our faith in Jesus and everything would magically fall into place… no struggles… no wrestling. But that is not the case. There is a battle between the Spirit and our flesh daily for our devotion.
If you want to see victory in our lives this year… if you want to see a new you this year, then first give your heart to Jesus and then walk by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through Him that we will ever see this happen.
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