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Response
The apostle Paul acknowledged that there is an internal struggle within each individual; every believer faces an “enemy within” that must be confronted. This ongoing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit will persist until death. Romans 7:21–23 discusses the internal adversary: “So I find this principle at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another principle 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.” Paul comprehended that his carnal nature would never align with God’s will. Regardless of his desire to obey God completely, he was battling the “evil… right there with me,” the internal foe.
Jesus also referred to the inner adversary using different language. When addressing His drowsy disciples in Gethsemane, Jesus urged them to pray and provided a rationale for why they should pray: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” «Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. », (Mark 14:38). It is undeniable—we are tethered to a carnal, self-centered nature as long as we inhabit this earthly realm. It is this internal adversary that obstructs us from doing what is right.
Athletes undergoing training are intimately familiar with the battle against the inner enemy, and many athletes describe themselves as their own worst adversaries. To excel as an athlete, one must conquer mental barriers, self-doubt, and the temptation to choose the path of least resistance. Paul seemed to have an interest in sports, as he draws parallels to athletics and how athletes train their bodies to bring them under control in order to secure the prize (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and 2 Timothy 2:5)
Timothy 2:5. We, as children of the light, must do the same, denying the unhealthy cravings of the flesh to gain a spiritual advantage. Our training is far more crucial than that of Olympic athletes because the stakes are much higher in the spiritual realm. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to receive a crown that will not last, but we strive for a crown that will last forever” «And every man who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we aim for an incorruptible. », (1 Corinthians 9:25). As we practice self-control, the fleshly appetites weaken, and by nurturing the spirit, the things of the Spirit within us will prevail.
Jesus said, “You are defiled by what comes from your heart,” meaning what originates from within «there is nothing from outside a man that can defile him by entering him; but the things that come out of him are what defile him. », (Mark 7:15, NLT). We are aware that “the acts of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry, witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I have before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Our flesh will manifest itself in various ways; some more deceptive than others, so it is beneficial to understand ourselves to be vigilant against this “enemy within.”
The book The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien contains a passage where the conflicted and wretched Gollum engages in a dialogue with himself (Book IV, chapter 2). He oscillates between fearful and sinister, shifting from vulnerable to spiteful.
In the midst of the battle against the enemy within, a believer faces a challenging struggle. This scenario can be seen as an example of the daily conflict between a believer and their flesh. “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” «For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. », (Galatians 5:17).
How can we conquer the enemy within us? According to Scripture, we must practice self-denial; indeed, all who wish to follow Christ must bear their cross (Luke 9:23;Luke 14:27). We need to learn to reject the desires of our sinful nature. “[The grace of God] teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” «teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; », (Titus 2:12).
To effectively combat the enemy within, we must grasp the true significance of Christ’s sacrifice: “‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” «who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. », (1 Peter 2:24). Through the death of Christ, we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God: “Our old self was crucified with him” (Romans 6:6;cf: verse 11).
To conquer the inner foe, we must submit to the Holy Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” « This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. », (Galatians 5:16). The strength to triumph does not originate from within us, as we are mere vessels of clay; instead, “this all-surpassing power is from God” «But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. », (2 Corinthians 4:7). While Paul battled the inner adversary, he fixed his gaze on his Redeemer: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).
