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.

Our Conflict Lies Within, To Do Right Or Wrong

STM Bible Snack

For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. 9 He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. Proverbs 2:6 and 9 (TLB)

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.

This I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are in conflict with one another: so that you cannot do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:16-17 (RKJNT) [read Galatians 5:13-18 (16-17)].

This conflict within is summed up nicely in Romans:

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 Romans 8:7 (AUV) [read Romans 8:1-11 (7)].

Choose to do right and stop doing wrong

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. 1 Peter 3:14 and 17 (AMP) [read 1 Peter 3:13-17 (14 and 17)].

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.

You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong by practicing doing right. Hebrews 5:14 (TLB) [read Hebrews 5:12-14 (14)].

Final thoughts

Wisdom will help a wise person more than ten rulers can help a city. 20 Certainly, there is no one so righteous on earth that he always does what is good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:19-20 (GW) [read ].

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry. 6 For the wrath of God will come [upon disobedient people] for practicing such things. Colossians 3:5-6 (AUV)].

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. ☺