“¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:18-19

As we know, Satan can override the will of an unbeliever.  Before our Salvation, Satan was our lord…no matter our “good works”.  Sad but indeed true.

Here is a nugget for all of us born again Believers this morning; satan can also override the will of the Believer and force us to do something we don’t want to do if our faith is improperly placed.

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Amen and amen to that, right?  HOWEVER, when our faith is placed in any other method for victory over sin, we are hindering the Holy Spirit from doing what He is commissioned to do, namely free us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  We give the Holy Spirit latitude to isolate our sin nature when our faith is in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what HE did on Calvary’s Cross to break the power of sin in the Believer’s life.  Our fasting, Bible reading and even prayer, when done to gain victory over sin, become religious works.  EVERY Believer should be praying, reading their Bible and fasting as the Lord leads but they were not given to the Body of Christ to gain victory over sin.  Jesus Christ was given to whosoever will believe to give the Believer dominion over our sin nature.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

Until we each have our “O wretched man” moment of Romans 7:24 and finally accept that we cannot resist the devil unless we are submitted to God (James 4:7); until we DENY ourselves…our self efforts, self will and self reliance and understand that satan can indeed override our will power when our faith is placed in “our part” to overcome sin, we, as born again Believers, are stuck in and living the Romans 7:18-19 experience.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

Faith…faith in Jesus Christ and HIS redeeming work that broke the power of sin in every Believer’s life, gives the Holy Spirit latitude to free us from the law of sin and death.  Greater IS He that is in us, than he that is in the world but we must give Him, the Holy Spirit, latitude to wrought in us HIS perfect work through our faith…not our doing.

“⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:8-11.

Be determined to know nothing else among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be sober. Be vigilant. Greater is He that is in you.

-Donna Clark Warren