It is against the backdrop of the consequences of not gaining the victory over our sinful nature that we will continue with our discussion of how the Spirit of Life in Christ sets us free, not only from the guilt of our sins but also from the compulsion to sin found in our sinful nature.

To begin with, let us think about the sinful nature itself. Where is it found in us? What is the substance and nature of it?

But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:23—NIV)

Paul says the sin resides in the members of our body.

We might conclude from Paul's statement that sin is a physical force. However, we realize sin began in the spirit realm and that even today we wrestle against fallen angels who once held positions of great authority in Heaven.

Also, we are aware of the presence of demons of rage, lust, lying, violence, jealousy and so forth. Now consider: such spirits seek to find fulfillment in our flesh. Yet even when they cannot they still have within themselves the compulsions of rage, lust, lying, violence, and jealousy. We speak, for example, of a spirit of rage or a spirit of lust.

We understand, therefore, that these compulsions are actually spiritual in nature. They inhabit our flesh but are separate from the chemical constituents of our body. They are not fashioned from our skin or nerves or tendons or bones or muscles. They are spirits of rage, violence, jealousy etc.

The fact that the various sins that drive our flesh can exist in the spirit realm independently of residence in a human body tells us that we will not gain deliverance from our sinful nature merely by dying. Our sinful behavior can exist in the spirit realm apart from our body! I say this because many Christians are hoping when they die they will be set free from sin. There is no basis in Scripture or in logic for this to be true. We are not changed by dying, only by our interaction with the Lord Jesus Christ.

It appears each human being has areas of weakness in his or her personality that makes him or her vulnerable to specific spirits. For example, an individual may be especially vulnerable to lust or rage or violence. Whether we think of these spirits as dwelling in the person, or having access to a door in his or her personality, probably is not really important to our discussion. What is important is the provision God has made under the new covenant to give us victory in our behavior.

It is our behavior, the way we think, speak, and act that is at issue. God demands iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to His will. Although He leads us along gently, He will settle for nothing less in His children.

To be continued.