Week 5- Romans 7:14-25
Romans 7:14-25 (NIV)
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my flesh a slave to the law of sin.
Battling Ourselves
Every honest person – including us – can relate to the seeming impossibility of living free from sin’s power. Even those who believe in God – from the nation of Israel to the apostle Paul to us – sometimes feels as if the evil that still resides in our flesh has the upper hand.
It often looks and feels hopeless – but when we authentically acknowledge our brokenness, we are in the right place for Jesus to bring us more of His ongoing transformation and victory.
Question
Where is your flesh giving you the toughest battle?
Take a minute to ask God to help you experience greater victory in this area today, as you actively place your trust in Christ.