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Response
The solution to triumph in our battles against sin is not found within ourselves, but in God and His faithfulness towards us: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18;see also Psalm 46:1).
It’s undeniable: we all grapple with sin “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, (Romans 3:23). Even the esteemed apostle Paul mourned over his continual battle with sin in his life: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me” (Romans 7:18-20). Paul’s battle with sin was genuine; to the extent that he exclaimed, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”, (Romans 7:24).
However, in the following moment, he answers his own inquiry, as well as ours: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”, (Romans 7:25a). In this passage, Paul not only gives us the essential key to triumph when grappling with sin but also elucidates the perpetual dilemma between our sinful nature and spiritual growth.
Regarding our dual nature: “So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” «I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.», (Romans 7:25b).
Earlier, Paul stated, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin” «For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. », (Romans 7:14). Paul is drawing a comparison between our sinful nature, our flesh, and a slave. Just as a slave obeys his master, our flesh obeys sin. However, as followers of Christ, we have become spiritual beings under the law of Christ; our inner selves are under the influence and ownership of God’s grace and the life of Christ «that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 5:21). While we live in this world, our sinful nature and fleshly desires persist. Yet, we also possess a new nature in Christ. This results in a conflict between our desires and actions, as sin continues to assail our earthly nature. This struggle is a common aspect of living the Christian life.
It’s noteworthy that Paul, the foremost of the apostles, acknowledged himself as the chief of sinners: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” «This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. », (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul confirms the struggles we all face as we combat sin and temptation in our lives. These struggles are genuine and exhausting. We become weary from the ceaseless battle.
Temptations and falling short of God’s glory are common struggles. Paul, essentially, tells us that we should not pretend to be untouched by our challenges. He has been there and understands. Even when our efforts to do right seem futile, we have hope “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25; Hebrews 4:15). He is the key to our victory over sin.
A genuine Christian will battle Satan and his daily attempts to undermine us. The devil is the ruler of this world, and we are essentially living “behind enemy lines” (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12; John 12:31). By focusing on Christ, we can develop a mindset that declares we would rather die than do anything to harm God. When we fully commit ourselves to Christ, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24), Satan will flee from us. Drawing near to God will result in Him drawing near to us (James 4:7-8).
Our victory in the struggle with sin lies in God’s promise: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Believers in Christ, even when we “face trials far beyond our ability to endure” «For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: », (2 Corinthians 1:8), we can echo the reassuring words of Paul, who declares, “God has delivered us and will continue to deliver us” «who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; », (2 Corinthians 1:10). Finally, the psalmist gives us these words of encouragement: “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:3-5).
