I Cannot Beat Satan . . . But with You I can!

I decided to put The Message version of this verse in here because, It really helped explain the verse, at least for me it did …

Romans 7:14-25 (The Message)

 ^14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. ^17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.  ^21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.  ²⁴I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?  ²⁵The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

I was reading this passage in Romans today and it really stood out to me. . . Satan is around every corner. He wants us to stumble and fall into temptation. Satan's road always seems easier as well and maybe it is at first, but the consequences of his road can drag any of us into a downward spiral. As Christian’s are we ever truly happy when we give into temptation and do those things that Satan wants us to that look fun to the world? At first they can be awesome and fun and exciting, but they end up leaving us feeling empty and far from God. I’ve had so many friends give into so many different things that the world and Satan have to offer and every time they just feel emptier. I myself have been there many of times and given into Satan. I’ve fallen for his tricks sometimes unintentionally and sometimes intentionally. Why do we want what we can’t have? Why do we go against what we know as Christians we're suppose to be doing? Why do we say we love God, but hurt Him with our sin so often? Why do we ever question God? We know what His word says and what He wants for us yet we still disobey…. Have you ever read the story in Genesis of Eve and Adam taking from tree God specifically said not to and yet they did? Do you ever say,

“I would never do that! Why did they do that? If I would have been there, then I wouldn’t have done that!”

 …. WE WOULD HAVE! … Look how God has told us to love others and yet we still make fun of people and gossip. He tells us not to lie, yet we do. He asks us to trust Him and we don’t? And every other commandment or encouragement God gives us, we ignore and believe Satan! Why? It makes me so angry that I am so weak and give in so much to Satan and his lies! Why do we choose his fakeness over God’s greatness?  And how do we ever become better lights for Christ and stop repeating our wicked ways?

…. I’ve realized I can’t do it! I can’t stop myself from being tempted and giving into sin. Even though I want so badly to not give into sin, I can’t do it on my own. ….Jesus Christ though, can do it! He can help me in overcoming Satan and running from Him. Without Christ, I am nothing. I can’t do anything without Him. I look at the world and the people who don’t believe in God and why wouldn’t they do the wicked things they do? How can you overcome Satan and all he offers of this world without Christ? It's hard even for us as Christians to not succumb to Satan's schemes.  I’ve felt good in the past when I’ve thought I’ve overcame some temptation that Satan set in front me, but that wasn’t me who overcame that temptation that was Christ working in me. I can do nothing on my own. I lose every time. But with God I can do everything and be a champion. With God all things are possible! 

Matthew 19:26- “²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

*Thank You Lord for your guidance. For never giving up on me. For forgiving me even when I mess up over and over again and for being with me and helping me overcome temptation when I do. I love YOU GOD! :) I am SOOOOO in love with You!