Walking with My Lord: Life is a tense war …

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Life is a tense war, an ancient battle. And I am my own worst enemy. Help!

In the Word

… O God … put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 RSV).

Of the Word

Conflict is everywhere. Between spouses, siblings, coworkers, interest groups, races, and nations. But conflict also often lives within — in our hearts and minds. How often, we must admit, we are at war with ourselves. St. Paul put it this way: I know that good does not live in me — that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I don’t do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. … My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body — a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of (Romans 7:18, 19, 22, 23a GNT).

How often we regret our unkind words, angry outbursts, or indifferent worship! Why do we give in to selfish behavior, hurtful gossip, or hateful thoughts? We grieve with St. Paul when he cries: What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body? (Romans 7:24 GW). The answer is Christ! I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me! (Romans 7:25a GW).