Scripture:
[15] I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
[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.
[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!
Observation:
After recognizing and admitting he is a slave to sin, Paul agonizes over the struggle of his flesh vs. what he knows to be right. Knowing he can’t fight the temptations on his own, he cries out for help – for the help of Jesus Christ.
Application:
I want to do good but I can’t, I try to do good but I fail, I know how to do good but I don’t consistently do good. I covet, I lie, I steal, I get driven by pride, greed, or other false gods, I.. fill in the blank for my sin, and while I know it is not right and I try not to do it, I do it anyway. I, I, I, …
How about this? None of us are strong enough to overcome sinful desires alone due to our sinful nature. We live in a fallen broken world and are confronted with all forms of sin on a daily basis. Satan will use our nature against us any chance he gets and bait us with lies and entice us with all sorts of things that appeal to our nature.
We need help. We need the help of someone. We need Jesus’ help.
That’s good news because, as Paul said, God has delivered us through Jesus Christ our Lord and we have His power in us. He gave us the Holy Spirit! With Jesus we are no longer slaves to that sinful nature. Yes, it will always be a bit of a battle and we may slip at times, but we are not slaves to sin – we are children of God.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me. I know I’m constantly tempted by my nature to sin; to chase after things of this world that would replace chasing after You. But I also know that with You I can overcome these sinful desires. Help me with that Lord. Help me stay focused on You and on what glorifies You. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.