What causes the conflict within a believer?

What causes the conflict within a believer?

The conflict often attributed to "the believer's two natures" is between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:17). In Romans 7:23, the conflict is because the "law in my members" wars against "the law of my mind." The principle (or law) affecting the believer's mind delights in God's law (verse 22). The principle "in my members" is "the flesh," which invariably tends toward sin and, for all Adam's fallen posterity, is endemic to a body of flesh. Apart from redemption, this "law of sin which is in my members" is inseparable from a body of flesh; for a believer this link will be severed at the rapture. The "mind of the flesh" (Romans 8:7, JND) controls an unbeliever's spirit and soul; it will characterize him forever.

Galatians 5:17 accords with Romans 8:1-4 in teaching that the transforming power in a believer's life is the indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:9). The Spirit, Who jealously desires that we should be all for God (James 4:5), cannot peacefully coexist with the flesh. The flesh will never submit to God or delight in righteousness. The conflict will never cease while we are physically in the flesh - in a body of flesh. Because of redemption, we are no longer "in the flesh" morally (Romans 8:9). The controlling factor in our life is now the Spirit of God; we are "in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). As we yield to the Spirit, righteousness will be expressed in our life. Until the Rapture, as long as we are in a body of flesh, however, the flesh will continue to resist this work of the Spirit.

D. Oliver
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