Romans 7:18-21 (WEL) For I know that nothing good lives in me (that is my flesh) because the will to do good is present with me, but [how] to do what is right I cannot successfully do. 19 For the good that I want to do, I don’t do, but the evil that I don’t want to do, that [is what] I do. 20 Now if I do what I don’t want to, it is no longer I who does it, but sin that lives in me. 21 I discover then a law that when I want to do [what is] right, evil is right there with me.
V18 For I know that nothing good lives in me (that is my flesh) because the will to do good is present with me, but [how] to do what is right I cannot successfully do.
Flesh refers to the bodily desires to sin. It is the sin nature inherited from Adam. The flesh is corrupt. It is cursed (God’s punishment) along with the rest of this creation. The desires of the flesh are for itself, not others. The works/deeds of the flesh are in Galatians 5:19-21.
Paul’s will was to do what is right in God’s eyes, to please Him. This is the attitude and character of the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Even though we want to do what pleases God, we find that the flesh with its self-pleasing desires often overrules. Our weakness is real. We need God’s assisting grace (1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 12:9), and He is able to protect us (Jude 1:24-25).
(Bridgeway Bible Dictionary): “The nature of men and women everywhere is infected by sin from birth. Adam, as the father and head of the human race, rebelled against God and corrupted human nature from the beginning. All human beings, because of their union with Adam, are born with this sinful nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12; 7:18; see SIN).
“Human nature (the flesh) is directed and controlled by sin, and rebels against God’s law. It is incapable of being reformed and produces all the evil in the world. Like a deadly disease, it cannot be cured and leads only to moral decay and death (Romans 7:5; Romans 8:6-8; Galatians 6:8; Colossians 2:23). The evil results of the flesh affect every part of human life and activity (Galatians 5:19-21; cf. Matthew 7:18).”
V19 For the good that I want to do, I don’t do, but the evil that I don’t want to do, that [is what] I do.
Paul’s will, as every believer, is a new creation with a new will—to do God’s will. We want to be pleasing children of the Father and good servants of our Lord Jesus. What we will doesn’t always happen. The spiritual war is real. The flesh wants its desires met now, and satan wants to destroy our faith.
John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The solution is the armor of faith (Ephesians 6:10-18).
V20 Now if I do what I don’t want to, it is no longer I who does it, but sin that lives in me.
It is the sin principle in the flesh with its demands. This is the conflict all Christians must face.
Will we stay faithful to God?
Utley writes: “It is interesting that the book of Romans so clearly shows humanity’s sin, but there is no mention of Satan until 16:20. Humans cannot blame Satan for their sin problem. We have a choice. Sin is personified as a king, tyrant, slave owner. It tempts and lures us to independence from God, to self-assertion at any cost. Paul’s personification of sin linked to human choice reflects Genesis 4:7.”
V21 I discover then a law that when I want to do [what is] right, evil is right there with me.
The conflict all Christians face. Pray, know the truth (Scriptures), live the truth, repent when convicted of sin, forgive others as well, and pray to do what is pleasing to God.
We learn:
- The conflict between the new, spiritual nature and the old, sinful nature of our bodies.
- Some tactics that with God’s help we can resist.
Questions:
- Do you notice this conflict?
- How do you handle it?