Romans 7:15: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
Do you ever ask yourself what is wrong with me? Why can’t I be better? Why did I do that? Take comfort – Paul had the same problem and admitted it in Romans 7. He has just talked about presenting oneself to God, in Romans 6, in yielding to God as “instruments for righteousness,” and he now states he doesn’t understand his own failures many times in this struggle of not doing what he knows is right and not carrying it out. Paul is not absolving himself of personal responsibility, or making excuses, but is emphasizing the power of sin even Paul struggles with, and continually has to redirect his thoughts, his mind, his heart, back to God’s truths and promises. Paul shares his vulnerability.
The tenth commandment, in Ex. 20:17 forbids coveting (having a strong desire for that which belongs to another). Luke states in Luke 12:15 that covetousness is the root of all sins so to be on guard against it. Paul states in Romans 7:8: “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment (“thou shalt not covet”), produced in me all kinds of covetousness.” The Old Testament law activated Paul’s conscience. Paul is saying that the command not to covet actually accomplished the goal of making him covet even more (think of Eve and the forbidden fruit and Achan with the wedge of gold). “Paul said, I got up and decided not to covet, but my rebellious flesh took over and caused me to covet in ways that I did not think possible.” Wayne Barber. Some commentators feel Paul was writing autobiographically about before his conversion experience. If that is true then Paul is writing that he was indifferent to the demands of the law on the inner man. Paul was raised in a sheltered Jewish culture. He was taught the law from birth. But the fact remains that Paul points to himself as an example, be it pre-Christian or not and explains the law of God is perfect and as he grew in his understanding of Scripture, after his conversion, he realized how sinful he really was – that is his point.
So what is the answer in our back and forth struggles of needing to stand firm, persevering, growing in learning to place our faith and hope in God, and living through setbacks and coming out a stronger person in our relationship with Christ? Paul states it at the end of Romans 7 and in verses 24-25: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
Paul declares Jesus is the answer – His living presence in our lives and filling our hearts and minds with His Word. We have to put on our spiritual armor every day (Ephe.6:10-18). Our culture has a pill or method of having being numb attractive as an escape, but that does not give one the tools to deal with life’s pressures. What Paul wrote is valid for all Christians. We all struggle with weaknesses and imperfections, but by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, we will walk worthy and grow as a Christ-follower in complete obedience and surrender to our heavenly Father, while we mature in our perseverance, stronger character, and unwavering hope (Rom.5:3).
Our acceptance is in Christ. Our identity is in Christ. Our worth is found in Christ. Our purpose is not in our social status or position. Hebrews 6:10 declares: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
What would make you happier than you are right now?
Who do you wish you were more like and why?
“Envy is the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we just resent the other person having something we don’t have.” Jerry Bridges. Respectable Sins. Confronting The Sins We Tolerate.
“Covetousness is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment with God.” John Piper.
Charles Stanley has said in his book “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back” – “Why keep persevering? I’ll tell you why. Because it is in the realistic arena that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered, and polished. Because it is there that the life of Jesus Christ is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us, replacing a thin, fragile internal theology with a tough, reliable set of convictions that enable us to handle life rather than escape from it . . . when the bottom drops out and brutal blows attempt to pound us into the corner of doubt and unbelief, we need what perseverance offers: willingness to accept whatever comes, strength to face it head on, determination to stand firm, and insight to see the Lord’s hand in it all.”
Listen to the new song from Danny Gokey, “Wanted.” May the words minister to you today as you listen to it on YouTube. It is from his new album – Haven’t Seen It Yet.