The Law of the Spirit

Since Christians are not under any quality of law, how are Christians supposed to govern their lives? What influences their actions?

Even though we have struggles with our sin nature, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 "Therefore now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus." There is no condemnation because we are not under the Law.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set up free from the law of the sin nature and the death," Romans 8:2

Understanding the word "law": In the English language we use the same word to describe multiple concepts. Law can refer to the rules that govern over people or it can refer to something that happens naturally. The laws of our City, State, or Government control what we are allowed to do in our daily lives. The laws of nature are not laws that control us, but rather things that happen naturally. When we use the word "law" for the laws of nature, the concept of law would fall more under the word "principles". The same difference exists between any law that governs our action before God, and the law of the Spirit. The law of the Spirit is not a set of rules that we live by, rather, it related to our actions when we walk by the Spirit; the natural result of that walk. 

The Christian life is not governed by a set of rules, rather, it is governed by who the Christian has become in Christ.

The law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of the sin nature and death. The Mosaic law could not set us free from the sin nature. "For what the law did not have the natural ability to do, in that it was weak because of the flesh, God send is Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, He condemned the sin nature in the flesh in order that the righteousness of the law should be fulfilled in us, the ones not walking according to the flesh but walking according to the Spirit," Romans 8:3, 4.

The Mosaic law did not have the ability to overcome the sin nature. It was God's Own Son that condemned the sin nature by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh. Now, because we are in Christ, we are free from the sin nature and can fulfill the law of righteousness.

We can fulfill the law of righteousness because of who we are in Christ. Rather than being slaves to the sin nature, In Christ we have been set free from the sin nature and are presently slaves to righteousness.

However, as Paul stated in Romans 7, the sin nature has not been annihilated. We therefore serve God with our mind, but the law of the sin nature with our flesh.

What does this mean? when we are framing our minds of the things of the Spirit, we are able to fulfill, or live out, the law of Righteousness. However, if we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh, we will produce the works of the flesh, rather than works of righteousness.

"For those who are according to the flesh, set their reflective thinking on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, set their reflective thinking on the things of the Spirit," Romans 8:5

What you frame your mind upon greatly affects the actions you produce.

The terms "framing your mind" and "reflective thinking" are describing the same concept. How do you perceive yourself? What is your opinion of yourself? Does your opinion of who you are line up with God's opinion of who you are? The Christians life begins in the mind because, as you will see also in the remainder of this chapter, what you are thinking on, affects everything you perform.

"For the carnally framed mind is death, but the Spiritually framed mind is life and peace, because the carnally framed mind is hostile towards God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor is it able to be subject to the law of God" Romans 8:6, 7

A mind that is framed on the desires of the flesh will not be in subjection to the law of God. The law described here goes back to the law of the Spirit, which is fulfilled in us when we walk by the Spirit. When are minds are framed on the desires of the flesh, these desires do not coincide with the law of righteousness. The result is, we constantly struggle with desiring to do what is righteous, but always doing what is wrong. When our mind is framed on the desires of the flesh, we can not keep the law of God.

"So then, they that are in the flesh do not have the ability to please God," Romans 8:8.

Framing your mind on the things of the flesh leads to a life that is not pleasing to God.

"But you are in in the flesh, but in the Spirit, If the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9

We are not in the flesh, so we should not act like we are in the flesh. Are you saved? Did you believe the gospel for salvation? Christ died for you sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. The "if" in Romans 8:9 does not question whether you have the Spirit of God, but refers to the fact that you have the Spirit. If the Spirit of God dwells in you, then you are not in the flesh, you have been freed from the sin nature. If you are saved, then the Spirit dwells in you. "Done you know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

Since we are not in the flesh, let us walk by the Spirit.

Framing Your Mind

Framing your mind refers to how you think about yourself. Your hopes, your desires, your opinion of yourself, all relate to how you frame your mind. When your mind is framed a certain way, your thoughts don't go beyond that frame.

For example : When you are setting your mind on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, your frame of mind relates to who you are in Christ. By focusing your thoughts on who you are in Christ, and taking God at His word, you will begin to change your opinion of yourself to line up with God's opinion of you.

Lining up your opinion of yourself with God's opinion of you is very important. How else will you approach God correctly? If God says you are righteous in Christ, but you consider yourself to be a terrible sinner before God. How can you approach Him with confidence?

Not only how you approach God is affected by your frame of mind, but your actions are also affected by how you frame your mind.

In Romans chapter seven, Paul expressed his frustration with the sin nature when he attempted to control it through law. The law was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was given to show how sinful our sin nature could become, Romans 7:7-13. Through Paul's experience with trying to control the sin nature by law, and the frustration that followed, Paul came to the conclusion that with the mind he serves the Law of God but with the flesh the law of the sin nature, Romans 7:25.

Although we struggle with the sin nature, we always need to remember who we are in Christ. God has provided a way for us to overcome our sin nature, we just need to use it. However, as we learn, we will mess up. Our mistakes do not affect our position before God, nor do they change His opinion of us. Always remember, in Christ there is no condemnation. (Grace is not a license to sin, so we should not think that we can do anything we want to do. God will not allow us to be condemned with the world. Continuing in sin will bring chastening, Hebrews 12:6. Chastening does not change God's opinion of us, rather it shows His opinion is true. He will not allow us to be condemned with this world. Do not be discouraged by chastening, if we are being chastened it is because we are not framing our mind correctly and therefore we are producing the works of the flesh in our lives. Rather than being discourage, we should listen, obey, and frame our mind on the things above so we will stop doing whatever is causing the chastening. God loves us to much to allow us to continue acting like the devil's kid.)

Roman 8:1 "Now therefore, there is not any condemnation in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a judgement that has already been passed, but the penalty has not been applied. There is no judgement hanging over anyone who is in Christ.

Because we serve the law of God with our mind, how we frame our mind is going to directly affect whether or not we are serving God or the sin nature.

Side Note: In Romans 8:1 some translations have "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This phrase was added by a scribe when copying the book of Romans. There is substantial evidence that this phrase should be crossed out. Also when you look at other scripture, this phrase does not line up. Whether or not you are condemned does not depend upon your actions, but rather upon who you are in Christ. In Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. How you walk, or govern your life, affects whether or not you are fulfilling the righteousness of the principle of the Spirit, Romans 8:4. The scribe that added "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" took it from verse 4.

There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus because in Christ we are free from the law of the sin nature.

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of the sin nature and the death."

If we still served God with our flesh, we would still be under condemnation. Condemnation came because of Adam's sin, Romans 5:18. However, Christians are no longer in Adam and therefore are no longer condemned. Rather, we are free to walk in newness of life unto God.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 5

"Then, I find the law, in me to desire to do good, that lacking in character is in me." Romans 7:21

Paul is struggling between two principles within himself. He desires to do that which is good, but the desire to do the things that lack in character is also always present with him .

"For I rejoice in the law of God after the inner man. But I see another, of a different kind, of law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of the sin nature, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am. Who will rescue me out of this body of death?" Romans 7:22-24.

What a situation! Paul desires to do that which is good, but every time he attempts it, the desire to do that which lacks in character overwhelms him. This is what happens every time a Christian attempts to live under the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic law is not bad, it was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was designed to show how sinful the sin nature within us can be.

So then, what does a Christian do?

"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so then I myself, on the one hand, with the mind serve a quality of law from God, but on the other hand, I serve the law of sin with my flesh." Romans 7:25.

How we serve God begins within our mind. It is no longer a thing of the flesh. Remember what Paul said back in Chapter 6 about how you deal with the sin nature? " Thusly, you reckon yourselves to be dead to the sin nature but alive unto God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11. It begins with the mind.

How you frame your mind, directly affects your actions. The conflict that Paul has been writing about relates to how you frame your mind. Are you considering yourself to be what God considers you to be? Does your opinion of yourself line up with God's opinion of you?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 4

The law pertains to the logics, where the flesh pertains to the sin nature. This produces a huge conflict. You know what you should do, but cannot perform it.

Romans 7:15 - 24

For that which I work out, I do not experientially know, for not that which I desire, this I practice, but that which I hate, this I do.

Paul is describing a conflict that happens to all Christians when they try to use law to control the sin nature. The sin nature is energized by that law and uses it to work out its desires, rather than being controlled so the Christian can live unto God.

For that which I (the old nature) work out, I (the new nature) do not experientially know. For not that which I (the new nature) desire, this I (the old nature) practice, but that which I (the new nature) hate, this I (the old nature) do.

But since that which I (the new nature) do not desire, this I (the old nature) practice, I agree that the law is good.

The law is good. By the very act of desiring to live by the law is an acknowledgement that the law is good. However, as you can see, that does not mean you can live by the law.

But now it is no longer I (the new nature) that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

What a conflict! One that all of us have shared. Desiring to do what is right, but always doing what is wrong.

The problem does not stem from the new nature, but rather from the old nature.

Remember, the new nature is not a slave to the sin nature. Our new nature is a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

Although the sin nature, which is a part of our old nature, is rendered ineffective in Christ, Romans 6:6, it was not annihilated. Law will cause the sin nature to revive because in Christ you are not under any quality of law. Which means, if you are trying to live by law, you are not living from your position in Christ, and therefore, the sin nature is no longer rendered ineffective, but rather, comes alive and puts you back under slavery so that you cannot do the things that you desire to do and do the things that you do not desire.

For I intuitively know that no good dwells in me - that is in my flesh. For the desire is present with me, but working out the good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire to do, but that which lacks in character, that I do not desire, this I practice. But since, that which I do not desire , this I do, it is not I that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 3

What did the sin nature separate Paul from? Back in chapter 5 of Romans, Paul wrote about the change in position for those who are in Christ. In chapter 6, Paul discusses how to handle our old nature, which is a result of being in Adam. Now that we are in Christ, we are no longer slaves to the sin nature. The sin nature has been rendered ineffective in our position in Christ, but has not been annihilated, Roman 6:6. Now, in chapter 7, Paul writes about the reaction of the sin nature to law. When law is put on the sin nature, it revives. The sin nature puts you back under slavery. Romans 6:16 " Don't you know that to whom you present yourself servants unto obedience, servants you are whom you obey. Whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness."

Therefore, the death Paul experienced was a separation from his resurrection life. He was no longer living from his position in Christ and yielding his member to righteousness; rather, he was acting as through he was dead to his position in Christ and alive to the sin nature.

Remember, we do not battle the sin nature. Romans 6:11 "Likewise you also count yourself to be dead to the sin nature, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." When we take God at His word, and count ourselves to be dead to the sin nature, but alive unto God, how we govern our lives is guided by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is guiding us, we will in no way fulfill the desires of the sin nature, Galatians 5:16. However, when we put a law on the sin nature, we are no longer being guided by the Holy Spirit, Who will battle the sin nature for us; rather, we are relying on that law to control the sin nature.

In Romans chapter 7 Paul is explaining what happened when he put a law on the sin nature. Rather than controlling the sin nature, the law energized the sin nature, and through the law, the sin nature deceived Paul and brought him back under its control. This is the death Paul is referring to in verses 9-11. In this frame of mind, using law to control the sin nature and not counting yourself to be death to the sin nature but alive unto God, Paul was in a sense, acting as though he was dead to his position in Christ.

"Wherefore, the law is holy and the commandment is holy and right and good. Therefore, did that which is good become death to me? May it never come to be! But the sin nature, in order that sin should be manifested through the good to me, working out death, in order that, the sin nature should become exceedingly sinful through the commandment. For we intuitively know that he law pertains to the spirit, but I pertaining to the flesh; sold under the sin nature. " Romans 7:12-14.

Next we will discuss what happens when we put ourselves back under the sin nature by trying to control it through law.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 2

"For when we were in the flesh, the passions belonging to sins, were energized through the law in our members unto the bearing of fruit unto death. But now we have been released from the law, having died in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit, not in oldness of letter."  Romans 7:5, 6.

The works of the sin nature, Galatians 5:19-22, were able to use the law for energy to produce fruit unto death. This is what life was like under the law. Remember, the law was not to make man righteous, but rather to show man's sinfulness.

"What will we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never come to be. But I would not have experientially known the sin nature except through the law. For I would not have intuitively known not to covet, except the law says "do not covet." Romans 7:7

The Mosaic Law was not sinful. It did not produce sin in the lives of those under the law; rather ...

"But the sin nature took opportunity through the commandments, working out in me all coveting. For a part from the law the sin nature is dead." Romans 7:8

Our sin nature reacts to law by using it as an opportunity to produce works unto death. This is because the sin nature is energized by the law rather than subdued by it.

"For I was alive once, a part from law. But the commandment came, the sin nature revived, and  I died.  And I found the commandment, the one unto life, to me unto death. for the sin nature, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it slew me " Romans 7:9-11

Paul is not writing about physical death. He continued to live. Although, it is true that the works of the sin nature end with physical death. Paul is talking about another death here.

Remember, death is separation. What was Paul being separated from by the sin nature reviving?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law

The sin nature’s reaction to law is similar to throwing gasoline on a fire and trying to putting a lid on it. A part from law, the sin nature has no power. “but the sting of death is the sin nature and the power of the sin nature is the law” 1 Corinthians 15:56

Paul deals with this situation in the Seventh Chapter of Romans. Paul begins the seventh chapter with an example of how we have died to the Law.

Romans 7:1 "... or are you ignorant, brethren (for I speak to those who experientially know law) that the law rules over the man for as long as he live?"

We all understand law to some degree, even those of use who have never lived under the Mosaic Law. Paul is not specifically writing to Jew who knew the Mosaic Law; rather, he is addressing anyone who knows a quality of law. There are laws within all countries that cannot be broken. Breaking these laws requires the death penalty. These laws rule over man for his entire life.

Romans 7:2, 3 "for a married woman is bond by the law to a husband for life. However, if the husband dies, she is set free from the law of the husband. Therefore, when the husband lives, if she is married to a different man, she is revealed an adulteress. However, if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, if she marries a different man."

Paul uses an example from the Mosaic Law; however, many nations have similar laws, so this can be understood by more than just the Jews. Marriage is suppose to be for life. Although, divorce is allowed, neither partner in a marriage is allowed to marry another person. If relations happen with another, other than the spouse, it is considered adultery, which is punishable by death in some nations.

The law of marriage, rules over the couple until one dies.

Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, you also have died to the Law through the body of The Christ, to become unto another of a different kind, to the one having raised him out from among dead men, in order that you should bear fruit to God."

Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law. In their position in Christ, they have died to the Law. This is in a similar way as a woman is free from the law of marriage when her husband dies.

Understanding How the Sin Nature Works

The sin nature resides in the flesh and attacks through our soul, 1 Peter 2:11. “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.” The soul is our emotional part and is swayed by the desires of the flesh. Touching, seeing, feeling, tasting, and hearing are all going to affect our emotions. When your mind is framed on who you are in Christ, it is easier to detect when a desire from your soul is being swayed by the sin nature. You do not want to ignore you emotions, but you should not be controlled by your emotions either. Emotions should always be considered second place to your reasoning.

At this time, your spirit is saved and has the ability to receive the things from the Holy Spirit; however, you soul is not saved. 1 Corinthians 2:16 “for who knows the mind of the Lord, the one having been knit together with him? And we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:9 “…receiving the end of our faith; the salvation of our souls.”Because of this, you need to filter your emotions through your mind. The soul is still in a state of being separated from God – remember, death is separation, when Adam died, all three parts were separated from God; body, soul, and spirit. Because the soul is still in a state of death, it can be manipulate by the sin nature. As a matter of fact, it is the only way the sin nature can affect your thinking. Once your thinking has been changed to desire the things of the flesh, you will begin to yield your members to fulfill those desires.
Now that you know how the sin nature works, it may be tempting to react to a thought that comes from the sin nature by putting a law on it. Take for instance, you have a desire to have something that someone else has. Perhaps your neighbors just bought a new boat. They are always getting new and expensive things, things that you have always wanted. This makes you very envious of them. Well, you know from Galatians 5:19-21 that envy is a work of the sin nature. Rather than reframing your mind and yielding to righteousness, the thought comes into our mind is , “A Christian is not suppose to be envious of others.” This thought seems innocent enough, and it is true; however, if you use this thought against the sin nature you are not going to get the reaction you desire. Rather than overcoming the sin nature, you will find out that the sin nature's appetite becomes greater and harder to resist. Why? Because you are putting a law up against the sin nature, rather than living by grace.

The Sin nature

The sin nature is a result of Adam’ trespass. When Eve took of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the devil had completely deceived her; However, Adam understood what he was doing. 1 Timothy 2:14 “and Adam was not deceived, but the woman thoroughly deceived was in transgression.”

The result was two deaths: Adam died spiritually (his spirit was separated from God and was no longer able to receive the things of the Spirit.) and physically.Physical death came from the sin, just as God said it would. “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat from it because in the day you eat from it dying you will die,” Genesis 2:17. Spiritual death; however, came from Adam’s trespass.

Romans 5:12-21. “Because of this, just as through one man sin entered the world and through sin came the death, and thus death came unto all men because all have sinned. (for up to the point of the law, sin was in the world. However, sin was not reckoned being without a law.)But death reigned as king from Adam until Moses even upon the ones who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a type of the one about to come. But, not as the trespass thus is the gracious gift. For since by the one trespass many died, how much more by the grace from God and the gift by grace, the one through the one man Jesus Christ unto the many super abounds. And the gift is not according as through the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment out from one unto condemnation, but on the other hand the result of the gracious gift out from many trespasses resulted in righteousness. For since by the trespass of the one, the death reigned as king though the one, how much more the one having been received, the one abounding by the gracious gift and the gift of righteousness, in life reigns as king though the one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, just as through the result of one trespass unto all men unto condemnation, thus also through the result of the righteous act of one, unto all men unto righteousness of life. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted to be sinners, thus also through the obedience of the one, the many were constituted righteous. Now the law came in, in order that the trespass should abound but where the sin nature abounded, grace super abounded, in order that just as the sin nature reigned unto death, thus also the grace should reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Trespass verse Transgression: Trespass is an offence. We trespass when we determine to do something that is lacking in character, rather than taking the way of escape that God has provided for us. Transgression is a breaking of the Law. Christian’s today cannot transgress because they are not under any law. Romans 4:15 "for the law works wrath. For where there is no law, there is niether transgression."

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” Roman 6:1

God made Adam in His own image and likeness. When Adam sinned, all humans that were born received his corrupt nature. Genesis 5:1-3 “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:” Adam was created in the likeness; however, Adam’s son was born in his image, the image Adam possessed after the fall. This image was passed on to all men and therefore condemnation was passed unto all men for all are constituted to be in Adam.

When Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead, God took us out of Adam and placed us into Christ. Now, just as God had constituted us to be condemned in Adam, in Christ, God has constituted us to be righteous. However, our sin nature did not dissolve. Rather Christ’s death rendered it ineffective, Romans 6:6 “This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Within our position in Christ, we have died to the sin nature and are no longer slaves to it.

Since we are no longer in Adam, and therefore no longer slaves to the sin nature, why should we continue to govern our lives according to the desire of the sin nature? Obviously, we should not. So how do we avoid doing the wrong things that we do not want to do so that we can do the righteous things that we want to do?

Although the sin nature has been rendered ineffective, it is only ineffective when we are living from our position in Christ. When our mind is framed on the things above, Colossian 3:1,2, and we are governing the manner of our lives according to the spirit, the sin nature has no power over us, Galatians 5:16 “But I say, govern the manner of your life by the Spirit and you will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh.”

However, when we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh and governing our lives in such a way as to fulfill these desires, we become a slave again to the sin nature. Romans 8:5 “for the ones who are according to the flesh frame their minds on the things of the flesh, but the ones who are according to the Spirit frame their minds of the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 6:16 “ Don’t you know that the one you present yourself to, bond slaves unto obedience, salves you are to whom you obey, whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.”

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” May it never come to be! How shall we, the ones who are dead to the sin nature, still live by it? Romans 6:2

We are dead to the sin nature in Christ and alive unto God. “ Don’t you know that the ones having been baptized into Christ Jesus , were baptized into his death? Therefore, having been buried together with him through baptism into the death, in order that just as Christ was raised out from among dead men through the glory of the Father, thus also we should govern the manner of our lives in newness of life.” Romans 6:3,4

Overcoming the sin nature begins with lining up your frame of mind with God’s opinion of you. God counts you to be dead to your sin nature and alive to Him in Christ, you need to count this to be true. It is only in this frame of mind that you are going to be able to defend yourself against the sin nature. Why? Because our defense against the sin nature is not to fight it, but rather to redirect our actions to what is righteous.

“This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Romans 6:6

We are no longer salves to the sin nature because we have died to the sin nature in Christ. Romans 6:7 “for the one having died is set free from the sin nature.”

Not only have we died with Christ, we have also risen with Christ. Romans 6:8 “but since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also be raised with Him.”

Defeating the sin nature starts with knowing you have died with Christ and have been raised to walk in newness of life; Reckon this to be true – take God at His word; then yield your members to righteousness.

Know - Reckon - Yield

Dealing with your Thoughts

In order to deal with the thoughts that enter our minds, we need to understand what the process is for sin. If a thought is a sin, then once that thought enters our minds we have failed. However, if the thought is not a sin, then we can deal with the thought before it becomes a sin.
In the book of James, James writes about the process we go through to sin. James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

First a desire must come, whether from you are from one of your enemies. This desire comes in the form of a thought. This desire is only tempting if it relates to something you are able to do. If Satan tempted you to turn rocks into bread, the temptation would be ridiculous. Even if you wanted to do it, you could not. Although a thought has come into your mind that suggests doing something that lacks in character – maybe stealing, coveting what others have, being unthankful, etc. – until you make this thought your own you will not be tempted. “But each one is tempted (solicited to do something that lacks in character) when he is drawn away and enticed (baited) with his own lust.”

When you determine to fulfill the lust, then you have trespassed. “… then when lust has conceived… .” Conception is the same term for when the sperm and the egg come together in a woman and a child begins to grow. Sin has not happened yet; rather, you have determined to fulfill the lust and have therefore chosen to reject the way of escape. However, until the opportunity presents itself, you are not going to be able to fulfill the desire. Notice, it is from this stage that sin is produced. “…then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin…”

Sin is exterior to the body. Once a lust has conceived it will bring forth sin. James used the concept of a woman giving birth to a child to show that sin works in a similar manner. Only once the act begins is sin produced.

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Understanding Matthew 5:27, 28.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, at different times He presented the Jews with the opportunity to accept His kingdom. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand.” Jesus was the Messiah that God promised to the Jews. He was their King, their redeemer. In Matthew 5, Jesus is giving the rules of His kingdom to the Jews. Notice that Jesus states the present law and then revises it – you have heard it said… but I say… .
Within these new laws, Jesus makes a statement about looking upon a woman that seem to contradict James’ statement of sin being exterior to the body. Matthew 5:27, 28 “You have heard that it was said by them of old, you will not commit adultery. But I say to you that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Context is very important to understanding what a passage of scripture means. In this passage, Jesus is speaking only to the Jews about the rules for His kingdom. In His kingdom, a man that looks upon a woman in a manner to commit adultery with her faces punishment. This would seem that a person could sin in their mind.
In James, sin was exterior, and an offense or trespass was interior. This has not changed. In Matthew 5:29, which gives the penalty, sin is not mentioned; rather it is an offence or trespass. “and if your right eye offends you, pluck it out and cast if from you…”
If anyone in Jesus’ kingdom gets to the point of accepting a desire to commit adultery and determines to do it, they face judgment. This does not say they sinned so why are they to pluck out or cut off the member of their bodies that offend them?
To us this would seem to be to great of a burden, who can control the thoughts in their head? Bad thoughts running through your head are not sins, nor are they trespasses. That does not change in the Millennial kingdom (Christ reign for one thousand years on earth). These people are only liable when they accept a thought that is lacking in character and determine to fulfill it. This may seem difficult to us, and would be about impossible for us today because our heart (out center where our body, soul, and spirit connect and the place where are person and determinate will reside) does not naturally know the law of God. It must be taught to us. We are also not liable now for determine to act lawlessly, rather we are liable only when we perform the act. This is different for those in the Kingdom of the Son.
Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people
All those who live during the Millennial Kingdom will have the law of God written in their hearts. God is going to change their heart so that the affect of the sin nature is countered by the law that is written on their hearts. Unlike us, it will be a rare things for them to determine to do something against the law that is written in their hearts. And in so determining, they will know they are desiring to act lawlessly because it is against what they know they should be doing.
The reason they will remove the body part that they determined to use to commit an act of lawlessness is because in Christ’s Kingdom, justice and judgment will be swift.
Matthew 13:41-42 the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Christ will not tolerate anything that is offense in His kingdom. Everything that offends will be cast in a furnace of fire. This furnace is the lake of Fire – Matthew 5:29, the body part that offend is cast in gehenna – the lake of fire. The one that determines to commit an act of lawlessness if given a choice. Remove the part that they determined to use for the act or lawlessness, or be cast into the lake of fire with it.
This does not change how a sin comes about. Jesus does not say this person sinned; rather He states they will be held liable for the offence or trespass.
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Every time we determine to do something, we go through the same process. We have a desire, then we determine to fulfill that desire. Now, the opportunity has to come in order for us do the desire that we have determine to do, so we do not always carry out our desires – whether beneficial or lacking in character.

Because the process starts with a desire, in our minds, it is very important to understand how to identify thoughts that are from one of our three enemies. However, if we do not identify a thought and we determine to fulfill that desire, until we actually perform the act we have not sinned. We can take the way of escape at any time, 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it; However, if we catch the thought when it first comes to us and reject it, we will not be consumed by the desire to do something that is lacking in character and offend God.

In order to be able to identify where a desire is coming from we need to understand which enemy is attacking and how each enemy attacks.

Frustration

Romans 7:15 For that which I am working out, I do not know; for I am not performing what I desire, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

We have everything we need to live a godly life; however, often times we find ourselves doing the things we do not want to do and not doing the things we desire to do. What causes this conflict within a Christian?

Have you ever had a situation where you are praying, worshiping, or reading your bible and inappropriate thoughts keep entering your head? Is God real? Does God hear me? …
The thought life of a Christian is a battleground between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. All of our actions start within our thoughts. In our minds, many different desires come to us every day. We are not going to do all of these desires. Perhaps the desire is out of our reach - going to the moon - or we chose to another desire – rather than having pizza tonight, I will have a salad. Many of these desires are normal every day desires that make it possible for us to make it through the day. After all, how would we determine to get dressed in the morning, go to work, eat lunch, go home or all of the many other things we do throughout the day without desiring to do so? A desire is not always something you enjoy doing. You may not want to get up in the morning to go to work but you know you have to so you determine to do it. You still had to have the though come into your head for you to go to work and determine to do so, otherwise you would have stayed at home today. We must desire something before we do anything.

Because our thought life is so important, our enemies are going to attack us through our thoughts. You see, if one of your enemies can change the way you are thinking, it can cause you to do what it desires rather than what you desire.

There are three enemies that all Christians have: Satan and his demons; the world system; and the sin nature. Each one of these enemies begins by affecting your thinking. Satan may whisper suggestions into your thoughts or change your circumstances to get you to accept his desires as your own, John 8:44. The world system is going to attract you through your eyes and ears to lull you to sleep, 1 John 5:19. And the sin nature is going to attack you through your soul, 1 Peter 2:11. The whole purpose of these attacks is to get you to determine to do your enemies desires rather than God's desires.

Temptation, which is a solicitation to do something that lacks in character, comes from one of our three enemies. Each time we are tempted, we have a choice. Do we accept the desire, which lacks in character, as our own and seek to fulfill it, or do we reject it.

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