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The Other Side of God · Lesson 02

How to Win the War That Is Raging in My Soul

Romans 7:15–25

A complete manuscript curriculum lesson from the preserved writings of Rev. Dr. Tony Lloyd Lewis — structured for study, leadership development, and theological reflection.

Chapter Outline · All Chapters
  1. 01. Avoiding the Perils of Popularity
  2. 02. How to Win the War That Is Raging in My Soul
  3. 03. Why I Believe in the Church
  4. 04. The Lord of the Leftovers
  5. 05. Living Life in the Second Mile Lane
  6. 06. The Religion of a Strange Woman
  7. 07. Avoiding the Perils of Popularity (Part II)
  8. 08. How to Win the War That Is Raging in My Soul (Part II)
  9. 09. Why I Believe in the Church (Part II)
  10. 10. The Lord of the Leftovers (Part II)
  11. 11. The Joy Counters
  12. 12. The Other Side of God
  13. 13. The Other Judas
I. Chapter Overview

The central movement of this lesson

This segment explores the tension of the Christian life, characterized by an internal war between the 'old nature' and the 'new nature' inherited through Christ. It argues that victory in this ongoing struggle requires disciplined study of the Word of God ('battle plans') and the rejection of the tongue's tendency toward criticism. The text culminates in a theological reflection on God as the source of sacrificial, unconditional love, contrasting human legalism with divine grace.

II. Theological Themes

Doctrine and Kingdom emphasis

  1. Spiritual Warfare
  2. The Dual Nature of the Believer
  3. The Power of the Tongue
  4. Conditional Covenant
  5. The Nature of Divine Love
  6. Sacrificial Giving
  7. Biblical Orthodoxy vs. Legalism
III. Scripture Focus

Biblical texts in view

  1. 2 Chronicles 7:14
  2. Psalm 111:5
  3. Psalm 139
  4. Matthew 4:5-7
  5. Matthew 4:10
  6. Matthew 12:36
  7. Matthew 23:23-24
  8. Matthew 25:21
  9. Luke 10
  10. John 3:16
  11. 1 John 4:8
  12. Romans 7:18
  13. Jeremiah 17:9
  14. Galatians 5:15
  15. Genesis 1:3
IV. Teaching Points

Homiletical and theological insights

  1. Believers live in a constant state of war between the old adamic nature and the new nature in Christ.
  2. Victory is not the absence of battle, but the result of studying and applying the Word of God.
  3. God’s love is comprehensive, unhindered by human gossip, and not dependent on our own merit.
  4. True love is active; it is a verb that necessitates sacrificial giving to meet the needs of others.
  5. The tongue is a treacherous member that requires intentional discipline to replace criticism with concern.
  6. Legalism often obscures the true nature of God by focusing on rituals while ignoring the weightier matters of the law.
V. Leadership Lessons

Formation for Kingdom leaders

  1. Leaders must move from criticizing others' faults to providing support and care.
  2. Pastoral influence should be built on personal study and modeling rather than 'proxy' relationships.
  3. Effective spiritual leadership requires acknowledging personal battles rather than projecting a facade of perfection.
  4. Guard against legalism that prioritizes religious ritual over the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.
VI. Ministry Applications

How the lesson moves into practice

  1. Implement regular, intensive Bible study programs to ensure congregants are equipped with 'battle plans'.
  2. Create environments where members can confess struggles instead of hiding behind moral façades.
  3. Prioritize accountability groups that focus on controlling speech and fostering encouragement over criticism.
  4. Encourage sacrificial generosity as a spiritual discipline that reflects the nature of God.
  5. Model a ministry approach that prioritizes people ('life') over rigid tradition when the two conflict.
Study Tools

Reflection & Study Notes

  1. Why is the battle against the tongue considered the most difficult struggle for the believer?
  2. How does the concept of a 'conditional covenant' change the way we view our responsibility for our nation's spiritual state?
  3. In what ways does 'straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel' manifest in contemporary church culture?
  4. How can a believer practically 'starve' the old nature while 'feeding' the new nature?
  5. Why is it dangerous to view God through the lens of anthropomorphism?
Related Kingdom Lessons

Sermons that carry this chapter's thread

Sermons from the Rev. Dr. Tony Lloyd Lewis Legacy Learning Series that carry the same Kingdom threads.

Defense and Vindication of God's Church and People through the Holy Spirit and Christ's Intercession

In Defense of Pentecost

Acts 2:14-21, Leviticus 23:15, Ephesians 5:18

This sermon passionately defends the Church and the Holy Spirit's work, providing a foundational understanding of Pentecost while also addressing the ongoing opposition faced by believers. It matters because it reassures Christians that their faith and experience, even when ridiculed, are rooted in divine command and power. It also provides a robust theological framework for understanding Christ's ongoing intercession and its eternal implications for the believer's salvation. For the contemporary listener, it offers encouragement to stand firm in faith, live an obedient life, and trust in Christ's advocacy, despite worldly scorn or internal struggles. It powerfully asserts the enduring nature and divine purpose of the Church as the 'only hope for a lost and perishing world.'

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The transformative power of sacrificial, limitless love, exemplified by Christ, enabling believers to live a 'second-mile' life that generates a compelling witness in a divided world.

The Testimony of the Second Mile

Matthew 5:41, Matthew 27:32, Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 116:13, Romans 10:13, Revelation 22:17, 3 John 1:2, Genesis 13:2, 1 Kings 10:14, Luke 11:42

In a world often driven by reciprocity and contractual obligation, Rev. Dr. Lewis's sermon is a profound call to a higher standard of love and service. It challenges believers to move beyond superficial compliance and self-interest, offering a compelling vision for Christian witness that transcends cultural norms and truly reflects the nature of God's love. This message is critical for cultivating authentic spirituality and demonstrating the Kingdom of God in tangible ways.

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The Sovereignty of God in orchestrating deliverance through obedient praise and worship, even in the midst of overwhelming adversity, revealing His Kingdom as a realm of divine provision and protection.

Praising God in the Midst of Pain

2 Chronicles 20:18-21; Genesis 3:8-9; Genesis 35:1; Exodus 4:31; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Philippians 2:10; Numbers 11:29; Luke 9:49-50; Luke 9:51-56; Isaiah 45:22; Psalm 150:6; Psalm 116:12; Psalm 124:2-4

This sermon matters because it addresses the universal human experience of confronting overwhelming challenges and fear. It offers a profound theological and practical framework for responding to adversity, shifting the focus from human might to divine power. By emphasizing praise and worship as a commanded, corporate, and diverse response to God's revealed will, it provides a counter-cultural perspective on spiritual warfare and dependence on God. The message is particularly relevant for believers seeking to cultivate an unwavering faith and find peace in turbulent times, reinforcing the truth that God fights battles that are not ours to fight.

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