THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

Romans 7:20-23 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Beginning with verse 14, of this chapter, we find Paul describing the war between good and evil that existed in his own mind and body. No doubt, it is the same war that existed in mankind from the beginning of time, and will continue to exist in all human beings until God determines that time on earth should come to its end. The war began with the subtlety of Satan in the Garden of Eden, as he convinced Adam and Eve to disregard the will of God, and do the things that God had forbidden them to do. The same craftiness of the devil has continued from that time forward. The apostle Paul experienced it, assures us that it exists, and confesses that the good of God, and the evil of Satan, were constantly at war within his very own soul. He holds up the war that existed in his own life experiences, as a living example to the Christians at Rome, and to all having access to his inspired writings, even to you and I today.

Paul begins his first-person narrative exposing this war by saying, For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin (Vs. 14). That is, God's law is spiritual. It is designed to nourish, protect, and save the soul. All mankind, however, are human, of the world, and exposed to all manner of sinful desires of the flesh. Satan, by making sin appear desirable, attempts to enslave us - to sell us into its bondage. These, then, are the two enemies. Good and evil are at odds with each other; are not compatible. Each is vying for the soul of every person on earth. This is the battle Paul describes here. He wants us to know that it exists, and that he, himself, experienced it. This war is constantly being waged within the minds of all human beings. The battle is lost when one treats it lightly or blindly disregards it. For the good of God to win the war, that is to have the hope of eternal salvation, we must recognize God as our ally and Satan, and his evil designs, as our adversary.

God, our Creator and the Author of our salvation, established the laws that, if obeyed, will lead to eternal life. Satan's war tactic is to convince people to disregard God's laws - to trade the bliss of future eternal life for the worldly pleasures that exist during our lifetime on earth. In verse 15 Paul tells us how the human body and mind desires to react to situations as they arise during our lives. All to often, the things that are evil, the carnal mind desires to do, while what is good is left undone. The fact that this occurs, and we are convicted by our conscience, is proof that we consent unto the law (God's law) that it is good (Vs. 16). Verses 17 and 18 tell us the reason we disobey God's will is because of the propensity to sin that resides within all of us, which is due to the lustful passions of our worldly, the fleshly-desiring minds. Without the inordinate desires of the flesh, there would be no commission of sin - Satan would have no foothold - there would be no war. However, that is not the way life is.

In verses 19 and 20, the first two verses of the lesson text, Paul restates, for emphasis, what he said in verses 15 through 17. Here he described the war between good and evil. God's law describes that which is good, and tells us to be obedient to it. This is directly the opposite of Satan's quest, as he plies on our human nature, encouraging us to disregard God's law, and tempts us into engaging in, and enjoying the pleasures of earth. Verse 21 tells us that evil is present with each of us, and at all times. Satan never takes a vacation, is ever present, and, we are assured, he will be there in our weakest moment, always encouraging us to give in to worldly desires. This is the "law" Paul says that will always exist - when I would (know and try to) do good, we can be assured that the evil influence of Satan will try hinder us, in any way possible, to keep us from doing so.

Verse 22 tells us that our soul, the conscience of our inner being, rejoices in knowing God's laws are good. Following these convictions, we know how to do what is good, and should rejoice in obeying God's will to the letter. However, verse 23 tells us of a conflicting "law." This "law" is in my members - it is the law of my fleshly body, from which I am exposed to the propensity to sin. It opposes the law of my mind - my desire to do good; my conviction to do God's will. The fact that both laws exist, I can only thank God that He has given me the choice of which law I obey. With the mind (I can) serve the law of God; ...with the flesh (I can) serve the law of sin (Vs. 25). Paul had this choice, I have this choice, and you have the same choice. Which will it be? Within myself, and within yourself, who will win the same identical war that raged within Paul's mind and body --- Good or Evil? Paul chose Good; so should we!