Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Kellin Munkanta
Why is it that things you hate are the things you do?
Danny Hickman
There are 2 'yous.' There's the you in the flesh, and there's the you in the spirit. The 'spirit you' hates sin; the 'flesh you' loves it.
There is victory in the Spirit.
Did you see what I did there? I changed the focus to the Spirit in you. There is victory in surrendering the 'flesh you' to the Spirit of God who lives in the believer. How do we surrender to the Spirit who lives in us?
We go through religious theological gyrations of prayer, bible study, quiet time, etc, in an attempt to change the dynamics of being a saved sinner. We think that with enough religious exercise we can become spiritually stronger; and I think we can. But a sinner who fights the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12) has eternal life, but he isn't free from the presence of sin in his life. (who will deliver us from this body of death?)
The best a believer can hope for is to be free from the penalty and power of sin. (death of the soul)
For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because ONLY THROUGH CHRIST is it taken away. To this day whenever Moses (the law) is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord (surrenders) the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor 3:14-17) (the veil was to hide the true nature of the heart)
This 'freedom' is from the authority of sin; sin produces death; so then we're free to surrender to the Spirit. the Spirit gives life (Jn 6:63).