"For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man."

God's made us new creations who love God. We have a flesh that's vile. In the flesh dwells no good thing, but we are dual natured: one very evil, and one that cannot sin, created in the beautiful image of God. Ephesians 4:24, “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Let's not deny this reality. It would be unbelief rather than humility. It's also dangerous, especially for the unlearned.

Only the Holy Spirit can keep sin down. Let us look to him through faith in Christ. We are not condemned!

First, "I delight in the law of God." This is a fact that sin can't change. True, in the flesh dwells no good thing, but the new man doesn’t sin. Paul said it is not I, but sin that dwells in me. Thus, when the flesh is corrupt, the new man is holy. In the new birth, we're in God's image. Colossians 3:10, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” In the first birth, we're like Satan, who deceived us into “being like God” by disobedience. Now, in regeneration, we are truly like God in holiness and truth. We are good, and the Spirit subdues the flesh.

We are not under the law, but we delight in its essence, which is love for God and mankind. We love purely and sincerely. It's not covetous, or hypocritically seeking greatness for ourselves. We are servants with meekness and patience, when strengthened with his might.

Some say, "No, I'm all evil. It's Christ in me." It's more than that. He formed you as new, and you love to love.

Live in the reality of your new self. Be who you are. Ask God to change you and control your thoughts, so that everything about you pleases him in character and fruitfulness.

Secondly, "in my inner being," means that we have a war. Flesh is against the Spirit! It's a battle until death.

Romans 7:18, “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.”

Romans 7:21, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.”

Romans 7:23-25, “but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

We can't keep the old man down, but we have been equipped. Like Israel in the days of Mordechai, we've been granted permission to fight, and God helps us. Esther 8:11, “saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods.” Don't look to yourself. Being new doesn't mean you're strong enough, but like Paul, we cry out.

Thirdly, we overcome by forgiveness and God's help. Rom 8:1-4

We are not condemned, so the Spirit assists us willingly with power. Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” We confess our sins, and the sufferings of Christ and his glorious grace overcomes them. He died for us to have the blessing, which includes holiness by the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” The Law could never make us righteous, but God did, when he condemned our sin in Jesus Christ. Now, by faith in him, we are declared righteous, and the Spirit helps us. He makes us love, which is the Law’s essence! He liberates us powerfully to overcome the flesh; it is not what we do, but what he works in us freely and with all sufficient strength!

Therefore, do not fear coming boldly to the throne of grace with confidence. Confess your sins and struggles. The blessings are yours, even holiness, purity, and love, and God will give them!