17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
When was the last time you felt this internal warfare? If you are human and a Jesus-follower you have experienced this battle. Each side has power and ability. Each side exerts pull on your behavior. The challenge for the Believer is to yield to the Spirit more than to the sinful nature. If we yield to the Spirit, we end up not doing what the sinful nature wants. If we yield to the sinful nature, we end up not doing what the Spirit wants. Either way, we end up not doing what part of us wants to do. The secret to this battle is to yield to the Spirit more. When we do this His power is more present in our lives. The sinful nature is being killed by our obedience to the Spirit. We are crucifying that nature. It is dying, perhaps slowly. The opposite is also true. If we yield to the sinful nature, we are killing the presence of the Spirit in us. We become that seed fallen on rocky soil or among thorns. We end up dead or fruitless due to lack of roots or because we get choked out by other things. We must continue to feed the Spirit in our lives. We do this through the Word, prayer, fellowship, and obedience. The more of these in our life, the more the Spirit has room in our lives. Give Him more room, will you?
The Arnold Journey 