The inward man

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.

This chapter should be one of great consolation to every Christian! For every Christian knows the struggle of the heart and the mind and the flesh. The desire is deep within to do that which is good, but there is a law in our members, that wars against the law of our minds. There is a battle, a war, a struggle. There is a great conflict within between the inward man and the outward man. Because of the law of God, we understand sin. But our flesh wants to gravitate to such things. And even our own brains turn to evil many times. But there is a great difference between the mind and the brain! Your brain can be filled with things your mind hates. You are, as a Christian, no doubt desiring the law of God. No true Christian wants to be controlled by the flesh or the devil! But many times, when we would do good, evil is present with us. O wretched man that I am, we say, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? There seems to be no relief, no complete victory, and no end in sight. But I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord that there is a victory awaiting us!

You see, my friend, God knows and intimately understands our hearts. Even if our heart condemn us, God is greater and knows all things. We can be sure that He knows that our inward man is desiring that which is true, and right, and good, and holy; although our flesh may be magnetized toward evil, and wickedness, and sin. Therefore, do not be bewildered when the flesh rears its most ugly head. Do not be befuddled when the instincts of sin seem to fill the heart and mind. Turn again to Christ! For God knows and sees. He forgives all sin, as we ask Him. And my friend, be encouraged today that true and everlasting victory is on its way. As we yield to the Spirit and not the flesh, the law of God will have more sway and more control over us. And the struggle will be less and less and less. Dear friend, be sure you are feeding your mind and heart with the glorious and spiritual things of God continuously. For it will suppress the flesh and strengthen the Spirit.

But what is the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ that the apostle speaks of here and in 1 Corinthians 15:57? Do we not know that one day the presence of sin will be forever eradicated? That one day the sting of death and the strength of sin will lose all power and control? Yes, my friend, through Jesus Christ our Lord, we will one day be delivered from every battle, every struggle, every war, and every conflict. For the Christian, this is the great hope onto which our hearts so desperately cling. This life and its fleeting years will soon be over and gone, and a new life will ensue, in which there will be no sin or struggle. What a day that will be! And until then, let us give attention and emphasis to our inward man, that God’s Spirit may have true power and control in our lives. And may God help us to know that He understands our inward man and knows our hearts!

“Dear Father, thank you for encouraging us and exhorting us at the same time. We are encouraged that you know our hearts and our desires. We are comforted that when there is a great struggle within us, you know that our heart’s prayer and longing is just to obey you. But how you have also exhorted us to give none occasion to the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof, and to give none of our energy and strength to the flesh. And when inflicting thoughts come, we shall get them under the blood and overwhelmed by the Spirit. Help us, Lord, to fill our inward man with you! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”