For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 

                                                                                                                 Romans 7:14-15 

We are created for eternity. Everyone one of us has a spirit and it is that spiritual man that tells the true story of just who we are. But we live in flesh. A physical body that can serve us well on this earth but that which will eventually wear out and be returned to the ground. And while we, as believers, continue to live in this physical body that resides in an evil and fallen world, we will struggle. And that’s good because an absence of struggle with sin and corruption only serves to signify a void of the presence of God in our lives. In other words, if we can go on living in the same manner as the world, lacking any desire to ever change, we are in spiritual peril. So struggle is good because it reminds us that, although we still sin, our desire and loyalty is to Christ. And that is exactly to what Paul is referring in today’s passage.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did I do that?” Paul reveals the reason why we, as believers, still think, say, and do things that are completely contrary to our new life in Christ. Consider his words:

…for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.  

We all know what we should do but acknowledging what is right and doing it are two completely different things. First, in order for someone to hate sin they would have to be a born again believer in Jesus. Without this spiritual transformation, we are left with nothing but our natural desires, which will lead us into sin every time. But just because we hate sin doesn’t mean that we never participate in it. Paul continues: 

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.                                                            

                                                                                                               Romans 7:16-17 

The Law of God is good but it is completely incompatible with that salvation of human souls because of our inability to adhere to it (Galatians 2:21). Religious people will always elevate the Law as the standard by which we are to live but often overlook the reality that we all fall short of that standard. Thankfully, we are saved by the grace of God, received by faith in the finished work of Christ. Our adherence to the Law will remain inconsistent but the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus is rock solid. But let’s go on with Paul’s declaration on his struggle with sin: 

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

                                                                                                                 Romans 7:18-20 

This willingness to follow Christ and to live accordingly comes from the presence of God in our lives. Again, without spiritual transformation, we would not desire the things of God at all. But just because there is a willingness on our part, that does not necessarily mean that the doing will always follow. Why? It is because the willingness to do what is right comes from the spirit man. The doing must come from the flesh. There is a principle at work here. Again, consider the words of Paul: 

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 

Romans 7:21-23 

As believers, we want to do what is good. This is our goal, our desire, and our focus. We joyfully concur with the law of God, recognizing that it can guide us in our decision-making and protect us from the pain that waywardness brings. However, we are in a spiritual war. Although we concur with the law of God and desire to do what is right, this is not always the reality in our spiritual lives. This is where the enemy can do a lot of damage. By accusing us, desiring to convince us that we are less that who Jesus declares us to be, sin can open us up to spiritual attack. But the truth is, as believers, we are adequate to participate in proclaiming the gospel because God has made us adequate (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Our sin no longer defines us rather it is our position and standing with Christ that reveals our spiritual destiny. This is the power of the good news (Romans 1:16). 

There are two types of people in this world. There are those who fixate on the sin of others and those who know the value of spiritual self-evaluation. I believe that the church will become a powerful force for the gospel of Jesus Christ when believers reject the temptation to proclaim to be without sin and become transparent about their struggles. This allows believers to identify with hurting people and legitimizes the message that Jesus can save, redeem, and reconcile any life willing to come to Him.

The next time that you struggle, remember that you are not alone. We are not above failure. We are all prone to neglect the things that we should do and to do the things that we hate. This is what it is like as our spiritual man lives in imperfect flesh.