The Law of Sin in Our Members

“But I see another law in my members . . . .” Rom. 7:23. Believers and unbelievers alike have this law of sin in their members. The difference is that the believer is able to and must rule over sin, while the unbeliever lives according to it.

James writes, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” Jas. 4:1. God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Gen. 4:7.

When the law of sin in our members is reigning, “the old man” is manifested; but when we are led by the Spirit of God, “the new man” is manifested, the one in whom the requirement of the law is fulfilled. Rom. 8:4.

“And do not present your members as weapons of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness to God.” Rom. 6:13 [Norw.].

Either we present our members to sin and become weapons of unrighteousness, or we present our members to God and become weapons of righteousness. We must do one or the other. If we present ourselves to God as a weapon of righteousness, we conquer the lusts in our members and overcome sin. But if we present ourselves to sin, we come under its power, and then we are under the curse as transgressors of the law. If we obey God, we will have to suffer in the flesh. If we obey sin, we will have to suffer in our conscience. Suffering in the flesh will come to an end, but suffering in the conscience will never cease. Someone who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, but someone who suffers in their conscience because of transgression will never cease from sinning.

Since we have another law in our members, let us take heed to ourselves, so this law does not become the driving force in our lives.

Our members will either become weapons of righteousness or weapons of unrighteousness. How do you use your members? Think about this—“a weapon.” There is no middle road, no neutral ground. This is a serious matter for God. May it become serious for all of us as well, because we will be judged according to how God regards this matter.