Every man struggles with his flesh. Why? Because it is in our nature. We are all sinful by nature and we all struggle with our own inner man. Early in life this sin nature manifests itself in many ways; lying, not sharing, wanting our way, throwing fits, name calling, etc. As we grow older, we still want our own way - we still want what we want... and that old selfish nature just comes out in a more devious fashion.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 2-3, there are basically three types of people. The natural man, the man not yet saved; the spiritual man, one who is saved and walks in the Spirit; the carnal man, who is born again but lives in the energy of his flesh. Although the carnal man may appear to be saintly and righteous he is miserable internally. Why? Because he knows he can not live up to the expectations he has placed upon himself. That's where Paul was, he was converted but he was miserable in his carnality. Paul put it this way, "for we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Romans 7:14)
Paul goes on to say, in his own personal fight against carnality, he wants to do what is right but, he ends up doing that which he hates. "For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I." (Romans 7:15) Ever feel that way? Ever done something you regretted? Boy I have - especially in times of frustration.
So what causes us to sin? - to miss the mark set by the law or our expectations of ourselves? The problem, according to Paul, is not the law but the sin in us. (Romans 7:16) He goes on to say about himself, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."(Romans 7:18) Here Paul is in the battle, fighting against his own mind about what is good and how to accomplish it. Boy, to see Paul struggle here gives me hope as I have had some of these same issues come up in my life. How about you? Have you ever known what was right in a situation you found yourself in but, you choose another path? How did that work out for you?
We are bombarded every day with choices between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral, righteous and unrighteous - even the Apostle Paul had to look into his own soul and admit he could not be saved from sin by the law or his own standard because he was basically sinful by nature. Paul eventually came to the conclusion that he was a captive to the law of sin (Romans 7:23) and asked the question, "O wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) Finally, Paul is no longer looking at "how" he might get victory over his sin nature but "who" can save him?
You may have asked yourself over and over again..."how" can I get out of this mess? "How" can I start over with a clean slate and make better decisions? The question is not how but who can deliver me? The answer is Jesus Christ!
The Truth
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but after the spirit."(Romans 8:1)
