Romans 7:5 says that the Law arouses evil desires that produce a harvest of sinful deeds. The Law is a legalistic approach that attempts to control and suppress. Legalism focuses on sinful behavior and tries to suppress it and control it by fear. However according to this scripture, legalism is not only unsuccessful in suppressing and controlling sin, it actually arouses desires to sin. This is partially due to the fact that legalism produces sin consciousness. The more sin conscious a person becomes, the more focused that person becomes on sin. The more a person focuses on sin, the more power sin gains in that person’s life. The flesh nature is like a weed and when we focus on not doing something that our flesh wants to do, we are actually watering the weed of the flesh and causing it to grow.
As we become more grace and righteousness conscious, focusing on our covenant of grace and the gift of righteousness freely given by Jesus, it draws out our spirit nature. [created in the image and likeness of Jesus] Our new creation spirit is led by the Holy Spirit and is drawn to a life of holiness. Bottom line… legalism leads to sin consciousness and sin consciousness leads to sin. The New law of Liberty in Christ leads to grace and righteousness consciousness, which leads to holiness.
Grace is a person, ‘Jesus’ and Jesus has given every believer the free gift of righteousness and unmerited favor towards the Father. You are released from the Law and legalism in Christ and there is therefore no condemnation towards you. You are now free from legalism, sin and the power of sin. You are now free to walk in the Spirit and to live a life of holiness, blessing, joy, peace and abundance, in Jesus Name!
