Genesis 25:22-23 (ESV)
The children struggled together within her, and she said, 'If it is thus, why is this happening to me?' So, she went to inquire of the LORD. And the Lord said to her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.'
We Wrestle With Flesh
Genesis 25:22 (ESV)
The children struggled together within her.
Romans 7:15-20 (ESV)
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Nature #1: The Flesh
Our flesh/sin nature is the part of us that actively opposes God.
Flesh is the traitor within
James 1:14-16 (ESV)
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
The reality of nature #1: It is opposed to God. And it makes us dead
Nature #2: The Spirit
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...
The reality of the wrestling: It actually is proof of the power of the cross
Romans 8:1 (ESV)
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 25:23 (ESV)
Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.
James J. Braddock "Whether it goes one round, or three rounds, or ten rounds, it will be a fight and a fight all the way."
#1. Go to the Corner
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
#2. Listen to the Coach
Boxing Corner Instruction "Don't sit down. You're not tired. You don't need it. You're stronger than this guy! Don't back up, don't back off. This guy's a bull rush. He's gonna keep coming at you all night until you stop him. He can't back up. You stop him!"
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
#3. Do It Every Round
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Genesis 25:23 (ESV)
...one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.