Life Lessons for the New Believer

A series designed for new Christians

Two Lives

Romans 7:21-25

Paul J. Bucknell
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New Life | New Values | Two Lives | Commitment
Introduction | (Others still coming)

Purpose

Video podcast on 'Two Lives' from Romans 7:21-25 explains why a believer with the Spirit might sin or even fall again and again. Special attention is given on the struggle between the flesh and the spirit (the inner man).

Click the video podcast below to start or download here to separately view in own (larger) screen. Study questions are provided below.

Romans 7:21-25

“21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:21-25, NASB).

The new believer faces numerous questions which most people around him or her do not know the answers to. Discover these answers here!

• Why do I still sin? Am I not a believer?

• How come I want to sin but don't want to sin?

• What is the secret to avoiding temptations?

• Do I have power as a believer not to sin? So many others don't seem to care about sin.

These are critical questions for the new believer because he or she is trying to understand who they really are. They want to know what is true for a new believer. After all, they have known Christ for such a short time.

Study and Review Questions for 'Two Lives'

• What does Romans 7:21 say that he found? Where did he find it? What was so unusual about those discoveries?

• What did he discover himself doing in 7:22? How would you say that in your own words?

• What does Romans 7:23 show he is concerned about? Have you ever felt the struggle that Paul spoke about? When? Where?

• Explain the trouble and the hope that Paul has found regarding those inherent powers in him (see Romans 7:24-25).

• At the end of Romans 7:25, he speaks very clearly about two residing powers within him. What are they called and how can one recognize them?

• (1)

• (2)

• Try to summarize how the flesh and spirit parts of a believer interact with each other. Are they enemies working against each other or can they be friends? Make sure you mention whether the believer has to follow the flesh or not (and why).

Summary

Each genuine believer has both the Spirit and the flesh (i.e. selfish tendency) within him operating. The unbeliever only has the flesh. The Holy Spirit works with our new life in the spirit and enables us to communicate with Him and find strength.

The key point is that the Christian life is a struggle. We must learn to fight against the flesh and live according to the spirit. While carrying out the deeds of the Spirit, we cannot carry out the deeds of the flesh. We can only live this kind of life through Jesus Christ.

If you want to read more, look below.

Further BFF reading or viewing:

• Here is a Bible study questions on Romans 7:13-25. Or learn more about Romans. Do not the video introductions at the bottom of that page.

• Struggling with lusts? Read our series on overcoming lusts, Running the Race or just the Power to Run article having to do with Romans 6-8.

• One lesson, Understanding Temptation's Power, in our Discipleship 2 level (D2) speaks much more detailed on temptation. Read about all the materials we have at this level in Intermediate Discipleship.

• Want to focus on the Holy Spirit? Great. Spirit Dependent Living from Isaiah 11:1-5 shows how when we depend upon the Spirit of God, He effectively leads us closer to Him
  and makes our lives more fruitful.

Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell