SEPTEMBER 25 - CIVIL WAR
READ Romans 7
A civil war rages in the life of every Christian.
INSIGHT
The “inward man” (v. 22) is created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24), wills to do good (v. 21), joyfully delights in the law of God (v. 22), and serves “the law of God” (v. 25). However, the “flesh” (v. 18) practices the thing the inward man hates (v. 15). “Nothing good” dwells in the flesh (v. 18). It wars against the law of the mind (v. 23) and serves “the law of sin” (v. 25). As a result of this civil war, our lives do not run smoothly. We do things we don’t want to do, and we fail to do things we want to do. Who can deliver us from “this body of death” (v. 24)? Only Jesus. When we receive Him as our personal Savior, the spiritual forces are put into place to free us from the bondage of sin. Then we must begin the process of dying to sin on a daily basis.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord because He frees you from the bondage of sin and gives you glorious, eternal life:
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
Bring an offering and enter his courts.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
Let the sea and all that fills it resound
(Psalm 96:5-8, 11).
Pause to express your praise and thankfulness. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You ignored the Rock who gave you birth;
You forgot the God who gave birth to you
(Deuteronomy 32:18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
A civil war rages in the life of every Christian.
INSIGHT
The “inward man” (v. 22) is created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24), wills to do good (v. 21), joyfully delights in the law of God (v. 22), and serves “the law of God” (v. 25). However, the “flesh” (v. 18) practices the thing the inward man hates (v. 15). “Nothing good” dwells in the flesh (v. 18). It wars against the law of the mind (v. 23) and serves “the law of sin” (v. 25). As a result of this civil war, our lives do not run smoothly. We do things we don’t want to do, and we fail to do things we want to do. Who can deliver us from “this body of death” (v. 24)? Only Jesus. When we receive Him as our personal Savior, the spiritual forces are put into place to free us from the bondage of sin. Then we must begin the process of dying to sin on a daily basis.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord because He frees you from the bondage of sin and gives you glorious, eternal life:
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
Bring an offering and enter his courts.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
Let the sea and all that fills it resound
(Psalm 96:5-8, 11).
Pause to express your praise and thankfulness. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You ignored the Rock who gave you birth;
You forgot the God who gave birth to you
(Deuteronomy 32:18).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Faithfulness in sharing Christ
- The Lord´s work in world affairs
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.