Book of Romans: The Battle (Flesh and Spirit)

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | September 21, 2025

Referenced Scripture: Romans 7:21-25, Romans 8:5-8, John 16:8, Romans 8:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30, 2 Corinthians 10:5, James 5:16, Galatians 6:7-9

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, pg. 112
Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him…. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light. In the darkness of the unexpressed it poisons the whole being of a person.

Reflection Questions:
Romans 7:21-25 21
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!...

1. In Romans 7, Paul describes his internal battle with sin. How would you describe your own battle to overcome sin in your life?

2. Paul uses the term “flesh” to describe what we are battling against. How would you define “flesh” as Paul uses it in the Bible?

3. The battle is between our flesh and the Spirit. Paul says the battleground is the MIND. Why is the mind so important? How does sin often start in our mind(thoughts)? Explain.

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

4. How can we put to death sin in our life by the power of the Holy Spirit?

John 16:8
When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong (conviction) about sin and righteousness and judgment…

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

5. What is the difference between Conviction and Condemnation? Why is conviction a good thing and condemnation a bad thing? How can we experience conviction while at the same time not experience condemnation?

6. What does it mean to have our mind set on the “flesh”? Describe. Give examples.

7. What does it mean to have our mind set on the “Spirit”? What are things that the Spirit draws our attention to?

8. What is your mind set on? How can we know what our mind is set on?

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