Our conflict lies within us. That is, choosing between doing what is right and what is wrong is a battle for us. It is an ongoing war: the Spirit wants to do right, but the flesh wants to do wrong.

Updated: Friday, August 8, 2023

Our Conflict Lies Within, To Do Right Or Wrong

STM Bible Snack

Proverbs 2:6 and 9 [read Proverbs 2:1-9 (6 and 9)]: For the Lord gives wisdom. Much learning and understanding come from His mouth. 9 Then you will understand what is right and good, and right from wrong, and you will know what you should do. (NLV); KJV: For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Our conflict lies within

All born-again people deal with the internal conflict of the Spirit, doing right, versus the flesh, doing wrong. As a child of God, we should live a Spirit-led and {Spirit-enabled} self-controlled life.

Galatians 5:16-17 [read Galatians 5:13-18 (16-17)]: So I say, let the Spirit tell you what you should do. Then you will not do the wrong things you yourselves want to do. 17 People want to do wrong things that the Spirit does not want them to do. And the Spirit wants people to do things they do not want to do. The Spirit and the wrong things you want to do are against each other, so that you do not do what you yourself want to do. (WE); KJV: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 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.

This conflict within is summed up nicely in Romans:

Romans 8:6-7 [read Romans 8:1-11 (6-7)]: For the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh will suffer [spiritual] death; but the one whose mind is [controlled] by the Holy Spirit will enjoy [never ending] life and peace. 7 This is because the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh is an enemy of God; for he is not obedient to God’s law, and in fact, cannot obey it. (AUV); KJV: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Choose to do right and stop doing wrong

1 Peter 3:14 and 17 [read 1 Peter 3:13-17 (14 and 17)]: But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition]. 17 For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong. (AMP); KJV: But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Spiritual Immaturity

Many of us, like Christ and the disciples, suffer for doing right. However, some are still babes in Christ because they stopped growing. So the struggle to do right is lost because they haven’t matured enough to know that they’re doing wrong. In other words, they are spiritually immature.
Hebrews 5:14 [read Hebrews 5:12-14 (14)]: Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (NLT); KJV: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

No One Always Does Right

Ecclesiastes 7:20 [read Ecclesiastes 7:20]: It is true that there isn’t anyone on earth who does only what is right and never sins. (NIRV); KJV: For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Everyone has sinned

Romans 3:23 [read Romans 3:21-26 (23)]: All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. (ICB); KJV: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1 John 1:10 [read 1 John 1:5-10 (10)]: If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept God’s teaching. (NCV); KJV: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Colossians 3:5-6 [read Colossians 3:1-11 (5-6)]: So put everything evil out of your life: sexual sin, doing anything immoral, letting sinful thoughts control you, and wanting things that are wrong. And don’t keep wanting more and more for yourself, which is the same as worshiping a false god. 6 God will show his anger against those who don’t obey him, because they do these evil things. (ERV); KJV: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

We may give in to the desires of the flesh from time to time, but we do not have to. Actually, we have power over our earthly, sinful, and flesh nature. Take control of your choices with the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember the words of Christ in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: …” We can end the conflict that lies within, using the gift of self-control provided by the Holy Spirit.

I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible snack. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺