Do Over
A Fight You Can't Win By Yourself
The Point
We are not alone in facing our ongoing struggle with sin.
Tug-of-War:
Romans 7:14-23
Consider the following quote then choose one question to answer and discuss.
Question 1
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
—Margaret Thatcher
“What game from your childhood caused the most heated battles?”
- Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.
- Identify one experience when you “won” a battle with temptation. What contributed to your success?
- When you face temptation, what Scripture offers you encouragement or strength?
Question 2
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;
23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
Does Paul’s tug-of-war testimony confuse, discourage, or encourage you?
Why?
LIVE IT OUT
“The battle we face with sin is real, but in the end we’ll be rescued completely by Jesus. What should we do in the meantime?”
- Be honest with yourself.
Question 3
Do you lament over words spoken in anger? Are you upset when you cave in to temptation one more time? Recognizing the reality of our sin (and the damage it causes) is the first step to facing it.
- Confess to God those sins that you can’t seem to shake.
Ask Him to provide clear escape routes this week when you find yourself facing temptation.
“What frustrates you most with the Christian life?”
- Imitate Christ’s mercy.
Often, our society places harsh, negative labels on those who are publicly facing a battle with sin. Resist the urge to follow this pattern; offer grace instead.
Romans 7:24–8:2
Question 4
“How does freedom in Christ make a difference in our struggle with sin?”
Question 5
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
“What weapons have been most helpful to you in your fight against sin?”