How often have you sat down with your Bible, determined to spend time with God. Your heart is in the right place, ready to dive into prayer. But then your phone lights up. “Just one quick check,” you think. Before you know it, 20 minutes have passed, and the time you set aside for God is gone. Frustration washes over you, and you wonder why it’s so hard to do the good you want to do. In that moment, you recall Paul’s words in Romans 7:19: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
This experience isn’t unique. Paul describes this very struggle in Romans 7:13-25—the battle between our desire to follow God’s law and the pull of our sinful nature. As believers, we face this conflict daily, where distractions, temptations, and weaknesses overshadow our good intentions. But, as Paul reminds us, there is hope in Christ. In today’s post, we’ll dive deeper into Romans 7:13-25 to better understand this struggle and find comfort in knowing that Jesus offers us deliverance.
The Believer’s Inner Struggle
Every believer experiences the tension between wanting to follow God’s ways and falling short in practice. This internal conflict is not a sign of spiritual failure but reveals our deep need for God’s grace. In Romans 7:13-25, Paul lays bare his struggle, saying, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15, ESV). His words resonate deeply because we’ve all been there. We set out to do good, to live righteously, yet we stumble, distracted by sin and our weaknesses.
This leads us to question why sin remains in us despite being saved. When Adam sinned with Eve, that sinful nature was passed down to humankind, just as parents pass down physical traits to their children. Adam passed down a spiritual trait to humanity that dwells in us today. The Bible supports this in Romans 5:12, which says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” This inherited sinful nature explains why, even after salvation, we continue to wrestle with sin in our lives.
This reminds us that while our spirits long to obey God, our flesh pulls us toward what is wrong. But take heart—this inner conflict proves we are being transformed. It shows that our hearts are aligned with God’s desires, even when we fall short. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” God is not done with us yet! This battle, while challenging, is part of the refining process. We are becoming more like Christ through it.
The Law Reveals Sin, But Cannot Save
“The law” refers to the commandments given through Moses to the people of Israel at Sinai. (Exodus 19-32) This law serves a critical purpose in the life of every believer: it reveals our sins and shows us our need for a Savior. In Romans 7:13, Paul writes, “Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” The law isn’t the problem—sin is. The law shines a light on our sinful nature, showing us how far we fall short of God’s perfect standard.
Imagine walking into a dark room, unaware of the mess scattered throughout. Once the light is switched on, you see the disorder. In the same way, God’s law shines like a spotlight, exposing the sin that was always present, even if we couldn’t see it before. Romans 3:20 echoes this, saying, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” The law was never meant to save us, but to make us aware of our need for salvation.
This may seem discouraging at first—we see the standard of holiness and realize we can never attain it on our own. But there’s good news: where the law cannot save, Jesus does. Galatians 3:24 explains that “the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” The law points us to Jesus, the only one who can fulfill its demands and offer us righteousness through faith.
We are no longer under the weight of trying to keep the law perfectly because Jesus fulfilled it for us (Matthew 5:17). Now, we live by grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness. While the law exposes sin, it also pushes us toward Jesus, our Savior, who freed us from its power. Our inability to keep the law perfectly is the very reason Christ came—to do what we could not and give us new life in Him. So, take heart! The law may reveal our brokenness, but Christ’s love makes us whole.
The Conflict Between the Flesh and the Spirit
In Romans 7:14-20, Paul describes the constant tension between his desire to do good and the pull of his sinful nature. He writes, “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” (Romans 7:18, ESV). This internal conflict is something every Believer can relate to—the struggle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. Though we long to live righteously, our old nature often pulls us in the opposite direction.
This battle is not a sign of spiritual failure but part of the Christian journey. Galatians 5:17 echoes Paul’s struggle, saying, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” The fact that you feel this battle proves that the Holy Spirit is at work in you, convicting you and shaping you into the likeness of Christ.
While it may feel frustrating to fall into old habits or wrestle with temptations, we must remember that this conflict is not the end of the story. We are not slaves to our flesh; through Jesus, we are given the power to overcome. Romans 8:9 declares, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.” When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His Spirit takes home in you, giving you the strength to fight against the flesh and grow in holiness.
Examples of this inner battle can range from resisting temptations in daily life—whether it’s anger, impatience, or selfish desires—to trusting God in moments of fear. Each time we face these struggles, we have a choice: to follow the flesh or to walk in the Spirit. We may not always get it right, but we grow stronger in our faith every time we choose the Spirit.
Ultimately, this conflict between the flesh and the Spirit signifies spiritual growth. It means you are on the path of sanctification, becoming more like Christ every day. Take heart in knowing that even in your struggle, God’s Spirit works in you, empowering you to live a life that honors Him. And when you fall short, God’s grace picks you up and keeps you moving forward. As Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Even in the battle, God is working in you, and victory is found in Him.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Romans 7:13-25, we see that the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is something every believer experiences. We must remember that while the battle is ongoing, it does not define our identity. We are not condemned by our failures because, as Romans 8:1 proclaims, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus has set us free from the power of sin, and though we still experience its pull, we are not enslaved to it. In Him, we find forgiveness, strength, and renewal each day.
So, when you feel discouraged by your struggle, lift your eyes to the hills from whence comes your help, Jesus. He is your deliverer, and He is faithful to complete the good work He started in you. Lean on His grace, and trust that He is transforming you through every battle. As we walk this journey, remember: the victory has already been won, and Christ’s power is more than enough to carry you through. Stay encouraged because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Let us pray: Father, we thank you for delivering us from sin’s ensnarement and giving us a new life in you. Thank you for being with us through every battle, helping us grow stronger in our faith and trust in you. Please help us to remain focused on You, through prayer, spending time in your Word, and sharing our testimony with others. Help us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh so that we may begin to look more like you and less like us. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for our victory is found in you. Amen.
