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Battling Inner Contradictions in the Christian Life

The Christian life is often characterized by an internal struggle, a "contradiction" within the believer that arises from the ongoing presence of sin alongside the work of the Holy Spirit. This inner conflict is a recurring theme in Christian theology, described as a battle between the "flesh" and the "Spirit" [8].

The Apostle Paul vividly portrays this internal tension in Romans 7:7-25, a passage that Charles Hodge interprets as an account of the experience of a true and even advanced Christian [7]. In this passage, Paul laments, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). This sentiment captures the essence of the inner contradiction: a desire to obey God's law coupled with an inability to consistently do so due to the persistent influence of sin. Hodge emphasizes that this struggle is not merely a conflict between reason and evil passion, but a deeper spiritual battle involving a renunciation of self and a reliance on God in Christ [7].

Another key biblical text illustrating this internal conflict is Galatians 5:16-26, where Paul instructs believers to "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" [8]. This passage explicitly states the antagonistic relationship between the flesh and the Spirit within the believer, highlighting that these forces are fundamentally opposed. The presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer means that they are a "temple of the Holy Ghost," yet this indwelling does not immediately or entirely free the soul from sin [8, 10].

The concept of inner contradiction is not unique to the Reformed tradition. Augustine, a prominent Patristic theologian, also addressed the internal struggle, though often in the context of broader theological debates. He speaks of "no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness" not only externally but also "within the Church" [9]. Augustine also recognized the internal battle against "emulation and strife" which he identifies as lusts of the flesh that Christ heals in His own [15]. He describes the conscience as being "overladen with loads of sins" before baptism, and then rejoicing afterward, indicating a recognition of the burden of sin and the relief found in Christ [14].

The Scholastic tradition, represented by Thomas Aquinas, also considered the nature of contradiction, particularly in relation to the will. Aquinas defines contrariety as existing only "where there is opposition in the same and as regards the same" [11]. While he applies this specifically to the question of Christ's will, his definition provides a framework for understanding how opposing desires or principles can exist within a single individual. In the Christian, the "new principle or form of life" implanted in regeneration does not eradicate sin entirely, leading to this internal contrariety [10].

The Christian life, therefore, involves a continuous process of sanctification, which Charles Hodge describes as a "supernatural work" [10]. This work does not result in the immediate and complete deliverance from all sin, but rather involves a progressive transformation. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, emphasizes that Christian life "must be transfused into the breast, and pass into the conduct, and so transform us into itself" [16]. This transformation is not passive but requires active engagement, as believers are exhorted to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling" [12]. This "fear and trembling" is not meant to instill terror or prevent security in God's mercy, but rather to prevent "vain confidence" that can arise from the "remains of the flesh" [12].

The Bible frequently calls believers to self-examination and testing to ensure they are "in the faith" [2, 3]. Paul urges the Corinthians, "Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified" [2]. This self-testing is crucial for discerning the presence of Christ within and for identifying areas where the flesh might still hold sway. The "heart," in biblical understanding, is the source from which "issues of life are out of" and is the object of God's testing and searching [5].

The battle against inner contradictions is also understood in terms of Christian conduct. Believers are called to a life of "believing God," "fearing God," "loving God," and "obeying God" [6]. This includes "following the example of Christ" and "living to Christ" [6]. The tension arises when the desires of the flesh conflict with these divine commands. The "contradiction of sinners against himself" that Jesus endured (Hebrews 12:3) serves as an example for believers not to "grow weary, fainting in your souls" in their own struggles [1].

The resolution of this inner conflict is ultimately found in Christ. Ephesians 2:16 speaks of Christ reconciling both Jew and Gentile "in one body, Deo per crucem, interficiens inimicitias in semetipso" (to God through the cross, having killed the hostility in himself) [4]. While this verse primarily refers to the reconciliation between groups, the principle of Christ overcoming hostility and division through the cross can be extended to the internal divisions within the believer. The cross is the means by which the "enmity" of sin is addressed.

The Christian life is thus a dynamic process of growth and struggle, where the believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, continually battles the remnants of sin. This battle is not a sign of a lack of faith, but rather an expected part of the sanctification process for "true and even advanced Christians" [7]. The goal is to be conformed to Christ, loving righteousness because God is holy [18]. This ongoing process requires self-denial, humility, and a constant reliance on God's grace [17]. The illumination of the mind by the Holy Spirit helps believers apprehend the truth and glory of God's revealed word, guiding them in this internal struggle [13].

Sources

  1. Hebrews “For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls. -- Hebrews 12:3”
  2. 2 Corinthians “Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. -- 2 Corinthians 13:5”
  3. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (ASV) — Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.”
  4. Ephesians “et reconciliet ambos in uno corpore, Deo per crucem, interficiens inimicitias in semetipso. -- Ephesians 2:16”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  7. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 31: subjects of the inward conflict here depicted. There is in them indeed often a struggle protracted and painful, between reason and conscience on the one side, and evil passion on the other. But there is not in the unrenewed that utter renunciation of self, that looking for help to God in Christ alone, and that delight in the law of God, of which the Apostle here speaks. What Romans vii. 7-25 teaches. Assuming, then, that we have in this chapter an account of the experience of a true and even of an advanced Christian, we learn that in ever”
  8. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 31: Galatians v. 16-26 . Another passage of like import is Galatians v. 16-26 , “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not full the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,” etc., etc. The Scriptures teach that the Spirit of God dwells in his people, not only collectively as the Church, but individually in every believer, so that of every Christian it may be said, he is a temple of the Holy Ghost. God is”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 13.--20. There is therefore "no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness,"(7) not only without, but also within the Church; for "the Lord knoweth them that are His," and "Let every o: 456 unrighteousness justify,"(1) as Cyprian again says, I ask, how could those men baptize within the very Church herself ? I ask, how could those vessels which the large house contains not to honor, but to dishonor, administer what is holy for the sanctifying of men within the great house itself, unless because that holiness of the sacra”
  10. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 31: § 2. Wherein it consists. Admitting sanctification to be a supernatural work, the question still remains, What does it consist in? What is the nature of the effect produced? The truth which lies at the foundation of all the Scriptural representations of this subject is, that regeneration, the quickening, of which believers are the subject, while it involves the implanting, or communication of a new principle or form of life, does not effect the immediate and entire deliverance of the soul from all sin. A man raised from the dead may be an”
  11. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Unity of Will, Art. 6: Article: Whether there was contrariety of wills in Christ? I answer that, Contrariety can exist only where there is opposition in the same and as regards the same. For if the diversity exists as regards diverse things, and in diverse subjects, this would not suffice for the nature of contrariety, nor even for the nature of contradiction, e.g. if a man were well formed or healthy as regards his hand, but not as regards his foot. Hence for there to be contrariety of wills in anyone it is necessary, first, tha”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: and so abused the goodness of God to their own destruction. But though you should hold that the words were addressed to elect believers, no inconsistency will follow. It is one thing, in order to prevent believers from indulging vain confidence, to repress the temerity which, from the remains of the flesh, sometimes gains upon them, and it is another thing to strike terror into their consciences, and prevent them from feeling secure in the mercy of God. 23. Then, when he bids us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all h”
  13. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 9: by God in His Word ( 1 Cor. ii. 10-16 ). It is not, therefore, a revelation of new truths, but an illumination of the mind, so that it apprehends the truth, excellence, and glory of things already revealed. And second, 16 This experience is depicted in the Word of God. The Bible gives us not only the facts concerning God, and Christ, ourselves, and our relations to our Maker and Redeemer, but also records the legitimate effects of those truths on the minds of believers. So that we cannot appeal to our own feelings or inward experience, as ”
  14. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LXXXI.(3) (part 7): call on Me, and I delivered thee" (ver. 8). Let each Christian conscience recognise itself, if it have devoutly passed the Red Sea,(16) if with faith in believing and observing it hath heard a strange language which it knew not, let it recognise itself as having been heard in its tribulation. For that was a great tribulation, to be weighed 393 down with loads of sins. How does the conscience, lifted from the earth, rejoice. Lo, thou art baptized, thy conscience which was yesterday overladen, to-day rejoiceth thee. Thou h”
  15. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — ON CONTINENCE. (part 26): it was said, "Is Christ divided?"(2) and, "I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. I have given unto yon milk to drink as unto babes in Christ, not meat, for ye were not as yet able; but not even now are ye able: for ye are still carnal. For whereas there is among you emulation, and strife, are ye not carnal?"(3) Against whom doth emulation and strife lust, but against Christ? For these lusts of the flesh Christ healeth in His own, but loveth in none. Whence the holy Church, so long as it hath su”
  16. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 61: their divine Master. To doctrine in which our religion is contained we have given the first place, since by it our salvation commences; but it must be transfused into the breast, and pass into the conduct, and so transform us into itself, as not to prove unfruitful. If philosophers are justly offended, and banish from their company with disgrace those who, while professing an art which ought to be the mistress of their conduct, convert it into mere loquacious sophistry, with how much better reason shall we detest those flimsy sophi”
  17. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: refuted. 7. Christian life cannot exist without charity. Remedies for the vices opposed to charity. 1. Mercy. 2. Humility. 3. Modesty. 4. Diligence. 5. Perseverance. 8. Self-denial, in respect of God, should lead to equanimity and tolerance. 1. We are always subject to God. 2. We should shun avarice and ambition. 3. We should expect all prosperity from the blessing of God, and entirely depend on him. 9. We ought not to desire wealth or honours without the divine blessing, nor follow the arts of the wicked. We ought to cast all our ”
  18. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 106: Contrition of the Sophists, and auricular Confession (as they call it), and the Satisfaction of actual performance, are opposed to the free forgiveness of sins. 49. The two parts of a Christian life are laid down: 1. The love of righteousness; that we may be holy, because God is holy, and because we are united to him, and are reckoned among his people; 2. That a rule may be prescribed to us, which does not permit us to wander in the course of righteousness, and that we may be conformed to Christ. A model of this is laid down to us”
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