Know Your Enemy: Putting Sin to Death, Waging War on the Flesh | Romans 8:1-39

The Christian Life as Warfare Against the Flesh

So, I wanted to open up today's message with a question. And that is, did you know that God calls every single one of us to become and be professional wrestlers and warriors? That might sound kind of funny and kind of weird, but it's actually, it's quite true.

And part of the reason for this is because in this life, we should be so accustomed to wrestling, struggling, and warring against and putting to death the world, the flesh, and the devil daily, because the assault is daily on us.

So we should become seasoned and experienced to the point of becoming professionals, seasoned professionals in dealing with these enemies on a virtual daily basis, especially the flesh, this enemy that we've been focusing on these past sermons.

And if you turn with me to Hebrews 5 .13, we'll see this come to light a little bit more clearly as well. In Hebrews 5 .13, which here, God's word says,. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, unskilled.

For he is an infant, he is a babe, he is immature. And this is not meant to be cute or some kind of compliment. It is not good. It is not a good state to be in, in a state of immaturity. It is a rebuke from God.

But solid food, however, is for those who are mature, the mature in Christ and in the faith. Remember Romans 7? That's what Paul is describing, or he's not describing the mature believer in the latter part of Romans 7.

Because there is no such thing as a mature believer who is ignorant and unaccustomed to the word. That's by definition, not somebody who is not mature. Just like this passage says. Because in Romans 7, he's barely discovering what's really going on.

He's not a seasoned professional yet. A seasoned warrior and wrestler. He's just becoming aware of the war that he's engaged in, that he's in the middle of. And the word continues in Hebrews. Have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.

Our spiritual senses, our discernment trained that this is the nature of a seasoned warrior and professional wrestler. Somebody who is mature in the faith knows how to discern good and evil. Mature believers are the ones who have the discernment to identify our enemy rightly.

And to know how they operate in us, in our flesh, specifically, like Romans 7 says. They know to trust in the captain of our salvation. They don't despair, although attacks of despair can happen. But we know who the captain of our salvation is.

Those of us who are mature. And we know to wage war in the spirit of truth that now dwells in us. Of course, not with physical violence. That's not what the word says. In fact, the word really condemns violence, except in very specific nuanced situations.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Not against physical opponents outside of our own fallen bodies, our own flesh. But against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this present darkness.

Against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly supernatural places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, which is now. That is here and now.

Amen? We are in this last and evil day. And having done everything, having done everything. Something that is placed on us with a responsibility as soldiers and warriors and wrestlers to do. Everything to stand firm.

Amen?

This is from Ephesians 6 and verses 11 and on. We have a clear role to play. And God has given us and instructed us and commanded us with very specific things to do in this life. As we wrestle against the world, the flesh and the devil.

And this is very important to bear in our understanding. Of course, the full armor of God is critical for warfare, for spiritual warfare. You have to have the right armament and equipment. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation.

Breastplate of righteousness, girding our loins with the belt of truth, the gospel of peace. Shot on our feet. We all should memorize these key passages to help us to engage in spiritual warfare against our enemies.

Because they are not, they don't let up. They don't slow down. They will seize whatever opportunity they can take to get a foothold into our lives. Like James 4, 7 says and several other passages. We are warned repeatedly against the insidiousness and the tenacity of our enemies.

That flesh of ours in particular, because it's always with us. It's always there in our lives. We always have to deal with it. We literally have to live with it in this life until Christ comes back. Now, this is why I also named today's sermon to know your enemy and to be putting sin to death and waging war on the flesh.

That's a parallelism as you might have suspected. Those are saying the same thing. Mortifying, putting to death, waging war is the very definition of the Christian life. Against the flesh and against sin that dwells in our flesh.

Just like Paul says in Romans 7 and elsewhere. Galatians 5 and so on. So we need to, as we start approaching the end of the, conclude the end of the series. Now, I'm shifting our focus more from knowing the enemy.

Because we should have a good idea of who they are by now. To now opposing the enemy, wrestling against the enemy, warring against the enemy. Our enemy, especially the flesh. And how to do it effectively.

We need to know how to do it effectively. And apply these things biblically, properly. For the weapons of our warfare. In case you were doubting the fact that we are in fact soldiers in a war, in the middle of a war.

That's what this verse says plainly. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. They are not physical weapons, so to speak. But divinely powerful for the tearing down of strongholds. Of spiritual strongholds.

Of the enemy. And of the flesh. That is what we have. God has blessed us with everything we need for life and godliness. It is these divinely powerful weapons. The sword of the spirit. The word of God.

The shield of faith. I don't know if I forgot to mention that. In the armor of God. But that's obviously a critical piece of our armament. To resist the fiery flaming darts of the wicked one. And that's from 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 4.

So amen, that's a powerful call to arms. It's like Uncle Sam saying, I want you. For the U .S. Army. God makes it very clear. I want you in this war. Because you are in this war. And we have an obligation to fight against these enemies.

Romans 7, Romans 8, and the Fourfold State of Man

Okay, so we left off last Lord's Day at the end of Romans 7. And this is where we found that the principle of discovery that runs throughout the whole passage. Including in Romans 8 as we will see. This is also you can refer to as the element of surprise.

This principle of discovery and this element of surprise. That Paul is describing in that latter part of the passage in Romans 7. Demonstrates that this refers to either an immature believer. A recent convert.

Or to a convicted sinner that is being converted and transitioning into a new believer. And regarding this passage again. I wanted to bring something out that I forgot to mention last time. That this is not primarily referring to mature believers.

As it should be clear by now. The principles, even though that's not the case. Even though that's not the case. These principles that Paul is expounding in this passage. Are still very much relevant for all believers.

Mature and otherwise. Because they help us to understand our enemy the flesh. And to fight back in mortification. In putting to death our enemy the flesh and God's means of grace.

Very important.

And this is what I wanted to emphasize. Is that one of the main reasons this is the case. Is because our physical bodies. Are they redeemed yet? Or are they going to perish and die? Our bodies are still fallen.

They are still unredeemed. They have not yet been transformed and resurrected. So that's why much of that passage still applies to us as believers. Because the flesh is still evil. The flesh still wants us and tempts us to sin.

And tries to subject us to the mastery of the law of sin. In our lives. So it's not like, oh yeah, that's just for these newbies. These greenies who still don't know what's going on.

No.

This still applies to even the most mature of believers. The difference, however, is that mature believers. Are not suddenly realizing what's going on.

Amen.

We know who the enemy is. We know what's going on. We have an obligation to know the enemy. And to fight back. To subdue the flesh. And rejoice in our inner man. And subject our flesh to mastery. Under the word of God and the spirit of God.

To not allow it to control us. And regain mastery over our lives. That's the important thing. Regardless of our maturity level in the spirit. It does not change the realities of sin. And of our flesh that we all face.

We all still face. And we can all fall. Any one of us, regardless of our maturity level. Can still fall. Like Paul says, let every one of you take heed. Lest he fall. Not become confident in the flesh.

But to trust solely in God's spirit and means.

Amen.

So, we must. The flesh most certainly affects all of us. And we have to be careful with how we handle. This problem that we all face. Romans 8 will make this even clearer. As Pastor David has read. There's some amazing points of elaboration.

And affirmation that Paul continues to put forward and expound. Including some of the fourfold states of man in this life. That I mentioned earlier last sermon from Augustine. That he teaches us those things.

The states of the first state being able to sin. Able to not sin. That was the state of the garden in Adam and Eve. Prior to the fall. Second one is not able to not sin. That's the state of unbelievers.

They are not able to stop sinning. All they do is sin. The very plowing of the wicked is evil. Like the proverb says. Number three is able now to not sin. That is the state of us as believers. We are now regenerated by God's spirit.

Empowered by His means of grace and spirit. To now die more and more into sin. And live more and more unto holiness and righteousness. And therefore not sin and obey. Of course this doesn't mean that we're perfect or flawlessly sinless.

That's not at all the case. Because once again we are still in this body. Mortal body of the flesh. And the last state of course is not able to sin. Where we will be glorified. Because our fallen bodies will be resurrected and glorified.

And we will be fully perfected. And therefore no longer sin at all. Not in thought. Not in word. Not in action at all. That's a blessing. An amazing promise to look forward to. So Romans 8 then if you turn back with me there.

Let's tackle our main passage for today. In chapter 8 Paul begins by saying. Therefore. And take note of that therefore. There is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. Hallelujah.

Praise God Almighty. This is a full blown gospel promise. We just went from despair in the previous verse in Romans 7. To now no condemnation whatsoever. For those of us who rest in Christ. Verse 2. For the law of the spirit of life.

That operates in our mind. In Christ Jesus. This is the law that dwells in our inner man. In our spirit. That regenerate part of us. That has been renewed. The law of my mind that Paul describes. It has set you free from the law of sin.

And of death. That operates where? Continues to operate in our flesh. Our members. Our melos. Physical members. Senses. All of that.

Amen.

Now. I want to stop here. To take note of a very important rule of interpretation. Whenever you read the Bible. When you see the word therefore. Ask yourself the question. What is the therefore?

Therefore.

Right?

Why is it there? Because usually. When there is a therefore. It's referring to what was described or explained before.

So therefore.

In light of what was said previously.

Now. This. Now.

There is no condemnation. For those of us who are in Christ. Now the therefore here.

Is.

There.

For this reason.

Because.

If you turn back with me to Romans 7 verse 22. We will see. What prompts Paul. To write down this therefore. Verse 22. Because I joyfully concur. With the law of God in the inner man. But I see a different law.

In my members. Waging war. Against the law of my mind. And making me a captive. A slave. To the law of sin. Which is in my members.

These physical.

Fallen members. Wretched man. That I am. There is the cry of despair. Who will deliver me. From the body. Of this death. Where do I turn for help? Who is going to help me? Who is going to save me? Thanks be to God.

Through Jesus Christ. Our Lord. Here is his conclusion now. So then. On the one hand. I myself with my mind. Am serving the law of God. But on the other. With my flesh. The law of sin.

So.

No wonder. It's no wonder. You see these.

How.

John Bunyan opens his book. In his allegory.

The Holy War.

With such a strong exclamation. That I've read. I've noted before.

It's such.

It's just such a powerful. Way of describing. The situation that we find ourselves in. Where he says. Man's soul. Is the very seat.

Of war.

Remember. Because.

The enemy. Enters.

Man.

Our soul. The soul of man. Our inner man.

Through.

Our.

Sense gates.

Right.

There's ear gate. Nose gate.

Feel gate.

Mouth gate.

All.

Of these gates. These senses. Which are pathways. Into our soul.

Even.

Christ said. The eyes. Is the lamp of the body.

So.

That is why. We have to be careful. Not to leave them.

Exposed. Or open.

Or.

Tempt ourselves.

To.

Create an opportunity. For sin. To enter. For our enemies. To enter. And invade. We cannot leave them open. And exposed. That is our flesh.

Paul.

However. Does. The Lord. In other words.

Breathing.

And speaking. Through Paul.

Does not leave us. To wallow. In the mire. Of despair. In that dungeon. Of hopelessness. And despair.

Because.

He not only proclaims.

Thanks.

To God. For Jesus Christ. Our Lord. He also. Continues. To answer. And to reassure us. From this cry. Of desperation. And to develop. And to further.

Explain.

Our hope. In Romans.

Eight.

Let's reread.

Verses.

One through three.

Again.

Therefore.

In light. Of what it was. Just said. There is now.

No.

Condemnation. What so.

Ever.

For those.

Of us.

Who are.

In Christ.

Jesus.

For the law. Of the spirit. Of life. In Christ.

Jesus.

Once again. That dwells. In our inner man.

Has set us.

Free.

From.

The law.

Of sin.

And of death.

Amen.

Praise God.

Verse. Three.

He continues.

For.

What the law. Could not.

Do.

For.

The.

What the law. Could not.

Do.

Weak.

As. It.

Was.

Through.

The.

Flesh.

Remember.

The human. Weakness.

Of the. Flesh.

We were.

Utterly.

Hopeless.

Just.

Being.

Left.

To the.

Law's.

Demands.

Utterly. Hopeless.

That's.

Why.

Paul.

Despairs.

But.

God. Did.

It.

God. Did.

What.

We.

Could not.

Do.

God.

Did.

What.

The law.

Could not.

Do. In. The.

Flesh.

What.

We.

Could not.

Fulfill.

God.

Did.

How.

By.

Sending.

His.

Own.

Son.

By.

Sending.

His. Own.

Son.

In. The.

Likeness.

Of.

Sinful.

Flesh.

And.

As.

An.

Offering.

For. Sin.

He.

Condemns.

Sin. In. The.

Flesh.

So.

That.

The.

Righteous.

Requirement.

Of.

The.

The.

Righteous.

Demand.

Of.

The.

Law.

Might.

Be.

Fulfilled.

And.

Accomplished.

In.

Us. Amen.

Amen.

This is a continuation of what Paul said in verse 25. Romans 7.

Thanks.

Be.

To.

God.

Through.

Jesus.

Christ.

Our.

Lord.

He. Is. Our.

Gospel.

Of.

Hope.

And.

Salvation.

This. Is.

Brothers.

And.

Sisters.

The.

Gospel.

This.

Is.

Exactly.

What.

Paul.

Is.

Laying.

Out.

That.

Is. Our.

Precious.

Hope. Our.

Only.

Hope.

In.

This.

Life.

And. In. The.

Next.

Our.

Only.

Hope.

From. The.

Condemnation.

Of.

The.

Law.

The.

Guilt.

Of.

Sin.

In.

Adam.

And. In. Our.

Personal. Wretchedness.

Our.

Hope.

Our. Hope. It. Is.

Because.

God.

Sent. His.

Own.

Son.

To.

Do.

What. We.

Could.

Not.

Do.

What. We.

Utterly.

Are.

Incapable.

Of.

Doing.

And.

That.

Would.

Lead.

Anybody.

To.

Despair.

If.

They.

Realized.

What.

Was.

At.

Stake. That's.

What.

Happens.

With.

Paul.

That's.

Why.

He.

Describes. It. But.

Now.

We.

Understand.

Thanks.

Be. To.

God.

Through.

Jesus.

Christ.

Our.

Lord.

Our.

Savior.

Our.

Deliverer.

Our.

Blessed.

Hope.

He.

Is.

Our.

Everything.

He. Is.

That.

Great. Restorer.

And.

Repairer.

Of.

Our.

Righteousness. That's.

Jesus.

To.

Us.

He. Is.

Everything.

He.

Is.

Our.

Salvation.

In.

Us.

Paul.

Continues.

Who. Do.

Not.

Walk.

According.

To. The.

Flesh.

Any. Longer. But. According.

To.

The.

God.

The.

Spirit. That.

Christ.

Sends.

Us.

By.

Virtue.

Of.

Having.

Chosen. Us. And.

Saving.

Us. We. Now.

Belong.

To.

Him.

And.

To. His.

Spirit.

For.

Those.

Us. Who. Are.

According.

To. The.

For.

Those.

Who. Are.

According.

To.

The.

Flesh.

That.

Is.

Unbelievers.

Set.

Their.

Minds.

On. The.

Things.

Of. The.

Flesh.

They.

Are.

They. Only.

Follow.

The.

Desires.

Of. The.

Flesh. The. Lust.

Of. The.

Flesh.

Sin.

But. Those.

Of. Us. Who.

Those.

Who. Are.

According.

To.

The.

Spirit.

Believers.

That.