This ongoing conflict between the two natures indwelling every believer should not discourage us. This conflict is part of the normal Christians life and one of the sure signs of our secured salvation.  This conflict does not exist in the unbeliever because it is only by the additional presence of the new Christ-nature, along with the Old Sin-nature that causes this conflict. If we did not experience this conflict at all it could only mean that we are not truly regenerated by “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

The conflict is evidence of the Lord’s presence literal within us. These two natures dwelling within believers are so utterly incompatible, that this inner strife and conflict is unavoidable. If we as believers know little of this conflict, then it can only mean that the Sin-nature, by its subtle trickery, has attained the upper hand. When the new nature asserts itself via the conscience, as it should, the Sin-nature is sure to “war” against it.

But not only is the conflict within us a sure sign of salvation; it also creates within us a deep and necessary sense and recognition of the inward corruption of our soul-self. It makes obvious that our mind needs revelation of the truth of the cross, to renew our lifestyle “the truth.”

We thereby recognize and appreciate the infinite grace and mercy of a Holy God in saving us and attending to us daily. Seeing this teaches us how gracious He is… even though we sometimes fail. This also then should make us more able to understand the lost souls we encounter, so we can better offer them “the gospel of the grace of God” that has secured us in the loving arms of Him who loves us, and them, unconditionally.

Again, how are we to deal with our sin-infected flesh bodies? Well, it’s not by trying to keep “the Law.”

 “For what the law could NOT do, in that it was weak through (due to) the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned (judged) sin in the flesh:” (Rom. 8:3)

 “…. as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus) also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy (Gk., kartargeo, make powerless) him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14)

The two verses above do not say Jesus eradicated or expelled the nature of “sin (nature) in the flesh,” but rather that by His “death” of the cross Jesus “condemned (judged) Sin in the flesh”; thus, making the Devil powerless in his work as “the sinner” in the flesh (Rom 8:2). We’re free because we’ve died with Christ and we’re empowered because we have risen with Christ (cf., Rom. 6:3-4). Now, we cannot be compelled to sin, and we will not die – we have His eternal life in us. Dead men don’t sin or die.

The Devil’s Sin-nature in the flesh of all men since Adam remains in all believers. But now the Devil is condemned just as condemned men on death row are condemned, but not yet executed. Sin, like that condemned prisoner in his cell, is limited to “the flesh.” Yet, while Sin’s power is destroyed (Heb. 2:14, above). Sin is unable to “do” anything that the believer does not agree to. Sin cannot make us do anything.

Thus, “Sin in the flesh” can still interject lying desires by the “mind… of the flesh” (cf. Eph 2:2), trying to deceive us.  To this Paul says;

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one).” (Eph. 6:16).

We may at times foolishly agree with “the lusts (strong desires) of the flesh” to do the foolish and even harmful things that the Devil desires. Paul calls these lies “imaginations” that need to be “cast down” in the light of the truth, which the enlightened believer should have concerning his new grace relationship with the indwelling Lord. Christ is our righteousness, indwelling life, and rightful Lord (Master).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down (Gk. kathaireo, dispose of) imaginations (reasonings), and every high thing that exalteth itself against (contrary to) the knowledge (we have) of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Never does Paul instruct the believer “in Christ” to make anything of “the flesh.” Paul never says ‘fight Sin,’ but rather he repeatedly tells us what we need to know.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3).

We are to “reckon (count)” our old self (old man) dead (Rom 6:11) since have been “baptized into His (Christ’s) death.” Thus, His risen life within us is now our ‘only life’ (Gal 2:20). Paul says we should dispose of human “reasoning” to overcome Sin; e.g., cast down psychology that opposes the true “knowledge of God.”

“… so many of us as were (as to our “Old Man”) baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: (so) that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of (Christ’s) life.” (Rom. 6:3-4)

The fact is that we have once and for all time, by faith in our co-death with Christ, already died and “put off” the “Old Man” who was forever poisoned by “Sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Thus, Paul wrote;

“For he that is DEAD is freed from sin (‘Sin’ singular, meaning the Sin-nature)” (Romans 6:7).

“Likewise reckon (count) ye also yourselves (as to the “Old Man”) to be dead indeed UNTO Sin (the Sin-Nature), BUT (now) ALIVE unto God through (risen with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)

“… seeing that ye have (already, by the cross) “put off the old man” with his deeds;” (Col. 3:9)

The truth is that we as to our “Old Man” is dead, making us dead to the Sin-nature. This death is made effectual when we walk by “faith” in our cross-death with Christ and walk in accord with the inner guidance of “the Spirit of life” that we’ve possessed since the day we received Christ as Savior!

Both the penalty for sins and the cure for the Sin-nature are provided to us by the cross. Christ died for our sins and our “Old Man” died “with Him” (Rom. 6:2-3, 6) to forever destroy “the power” of the Sin-nature. “But now being made free from sin (Sin’s dominion) …” (Rom. 6:22) The facts of the truth are that our death with Christ (cf. Rom 6:2-3) cures us, liberating us from the power of the Sin-nature. Our Old Man’s death renders the Sin-nature powerless. Sin cannot reign over a dead man.

Yes, we will still hear Sin’s lying impulses of the flesh in our unrenewed “mind of the flesh.” These lying impulses will be with us until we shed these Sin-laden bodies. But now, the fact is that by the cross we “have (ALREADY) put off the Old Man” who was vulnerable to the power of Sin and “¹⁰And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Col. 3:9-10)

Since this is now the case, the only life we possess to live by is our “new man” in Christ. Believers need not to attempt fighting with the lying Sin-nature that is still in the flesh. We should acknowledge and stand on the truth of the power of Christ death and His resurrection life that flowed to us from His cross.

How do we actualize this victory over the Sinful impulses in the flesh?

1. First, we should have nothing to do with “trying overcome the depraved Sin-nature,” not even to fight it or respond in any way to its lying impulses, except to inwardly turn our hearts to the Lord.
2. We need to know and stand on the great truths of “the gospel of the grace of God,” that we dead top Sin and now “alive” in Christ.

We need not to pay attention to Sin’s promptings but rather to heed the prompting and restraining sense we have by Christ’s life within us. All the power of His cross is manifested with His resurrection life now in us. The enabling power of the resurrected Christ stands behind the limiting and prompting senses we have by Him in us… but only as we trust in His cross-work!

Paul wrote that we as believers are “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (so) that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2 Cor. 4:10) So, our emphasis ought to be on the 2^nd half of Romans 6:11, below.

“Likewise reckon (count) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, BUT (count yourselves) ALIVE Unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:11).

After realizing we are dead “with Christ.” we need to count ourselves “ALIVE unto God,” which is established when we in faith live, move, and having our being (daily)… in accord with our union with Him and His life… now as our life.

When we are lured into trying to fight the promptings of the “Sin-nature” we’ve already denied the truth, essentially saying, we do not believe that Sin has no power… but still we can improve our self. This unbelief ignores Christ’s cross-work as us, so we will always fail. The lies of “the flesh” are just that, lies. Sin’s lies have no power except to deceive unwary saints who are ignorant of, or unbelieving of, their true status “in Christ”… by the cross; they thereby are targets for Satan’s strategies.

Now, knowing and trusting in the truth of our union with Christ death and resurrection, we can get up in the morning to face the new day, with all its troubles, having faith in the faithfulness of Christ to lead, guide and empower us… always subliminally looking to Him as we proceed in whatever we encounter. Come what may, we already know whatever occurs is for our eternal good… that we might become radiant expressers of His life within us… seen as “epistles of Christ that are read of men” (2Cor 3:2 paraphrased).

This is the proper life view that counts for a life of rest and peace.

“… we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹… to be conformed to the image of His Son. (Rom. 8:28)