Dr. Couch, do believers have power over sin?
The answer is clear, no, no and no! Our flesh can accomplish nothing! I
overcome and mature by the power of the Holy Spirit working through me.
The power is not innately mine, though that is the way some Charismatics
present it. This is wrong!
Paul writes, “Be continually walking (present
tense) ‘with’ the Spirit and you will NOT carry out the ‘cravings,
greed’ of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). Paul then lists the works of the flesh
in verses 19-21. This is all the human flesh can accomplish, strife,
jealousy, dishonesty, etc. It is not capable of anything else!
The flesh has been crucified with Christ, its
passions and desires (v. 24). So the fruit of the Spirit must come out,
such as Paul describes in verses 22-23. He adds, “If we are living by
means of the Spirit, let us also walk by means of the Spirit” (v. 25).
In my opinion it takes time to learn to walk
with the Spirit so that what I do is really taking place by His power
and ability, and not mine. This does not happen instantly! Lewis Sperry
Chafer wrote: “The contention that one has no disposition to sin must be
based upon a shocking lack of self-knowledge as to the motives and
impulses of the heart, or such an assumption is made through failure to
comprehend the true character of sin itself.” (Chafer, He That Is
Spiritual, pp. 109-10)
Hope this helps and thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
