Galatians 5:17

The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don't do what you really want to do.

In every believer's heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of deploying all the weapons in its deadly armoury against newborn grace. While on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch, to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, faith, hope, and love, to cast out the evil. It takes on the "whole armour of God," and wrestles earnestly. These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of "Christian" with "Apollyon" lasted three hours in John Bunyan's book "Pilgrams's Progress", but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate to the river Jordan. The enemy within us is so securely entrenched that he can never be driven out while we are in this body. Although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through Him. With such assistance the new-born Christian nature is more than a match for its foes. Are you fighting with the adversary today? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh, all against you? Do not be discouraged or dismayed. Fight on! For God Himself is with you, Jehovah our Banner is your banner, and Jehovah Heals is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat our Omnipotent God? Fight on, looking to Jesus and though the conflict will be long and hard, sweet will be the victory and glorious the promised reward. "From strength to strength go on; Wrestle, and fight, and pray, Tread all the powers of darkness down, And win the well-fought day."