The most persistent and consistent battle we face is the battle within.

Romans 7:15–24 (NLT)

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I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

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And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

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I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Romans 7:25 (NLT)

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

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Romans 8:1–2 (NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

1. WALK IN THE SPIRIT

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Galatians 5:16–18 (NIV)

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So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

2. DIRECT YOUR THOUGHTS

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2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (NET)

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For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

3. CLOSE ANY OPEN DOORS

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1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

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Ephesians 4:26–27 (NIV)

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“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

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2 Corinthians 2:10–11 (NIV)

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Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

4. OPEN ANY DOORS YOU’VE CLOSE ON GOD

Matthew 16:25 (NIV)

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For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

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