Paul's Battle With Sin: Romans 7

In Romans 7:14-25, Paul describes his problem as

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (v. 19)

and later he says

but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (v. 23)


I don't want to sin against God. I understand that Paul was awaiting Jesus Christ to set him free from the "body of this death". I have a sin I struggle against which has me almost convinced otherwise, that I do want to sin against God. And therefore he won't deliver me from it.

I believe that it takes God to deliver my heart and change it. So how long must I wait until this work shows fruit in me? Because the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
 
In Romans 7:14-25, Paul describes his problem as

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (v. 19)

and later he says

but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (v. 23)


I don't want to sin against God. I understand that Paul was awaiting Jesus Christ to set him free from the "body of this death". I have a sin I struggle against which has me almost convinced otherwise, that I do want to sin against God. And therefore he won't deliver me from it.

I believe that it takes God to deliver my heart and change it. So how long must I wait until this work shows fruit in me? Because the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

I don't know what tempts you but you must look to the "why" of whatever tempts you to measure the reason you feel you need it. Often times, it is found in childhood, so it requires deep thinking. Once you understand the reasons/whys - you can find a way to satisfy the need without sinning. For instance, we live in a world where "everybody lies". Sometimes, it is what I call stupid lies - calling in a sick day and inventing symtoms you don't have to be believed. I have found that there is always a way to tell the truth, that suffices better than any deception. And does not put your soul at risk :). Admittedly, sometimes I omit - but no one's perfect.
 
In Romans 7:14-25, Paul describes his problem as

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (v. 19)

and later he says

but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (v. 23)


I don't want to sin against God. I understand that Paul was awaiting Jesus Christ to set him free from the "body of this death". I have a sin I struggle against which has me almost convinced otherwise, that I do want to sin against God. And therefore he won't deliver me from it.

I believe that it takes God to deliver my heart and change it. So how long must I wait until this work shows fruit in me? Because the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.


You said...................
So how long must I wait until this work shows fruit in me?

1.
Today is Wensday. Look in the phone book under "Churches" and find a Bible teaching church that has a Prayer service tonite and GO there. Join in prayer.

2.
Cook a bowl of soup and make a ham sandwich and take it to one of your neighbors.

3.
Open your Bible and begin to read it. I sugest the Gospel of John.

Instead of waiting........DO!
 
I wish I had an answer to "how long." Some people are delivered instantly from, say, alcohol addiction or anger and bitterness or depression. Others struggle with one or several issues a long time, sometimes a lifetime. It may help to enlist the help of someone else in the struggle. An accountability partner may help lend the strength you cannot muster up on your own. Rest assured, however, that as you press in to God (they that wait upon the Lord....) He will continue to do His perfecting work in your life. It may well be that the issues upon which you focus are best dealt with after a foundation has first been laid in other areas of your life. Or, to look at it another way, the wall you are looking to break through may crumble under its own weight when the bedrock upon which it rests has been broken up and removed.
 
The important thing is, don't give up hope. A practical suggestion would be to avoid, if possible, the circumstances which brings about your own peculiar temptation. Often we can struggle because we put ourselves in the position to be tempted in the first place.
 
I wish I had an answer to "how long." Some people are delivered instantly from, say, alcohol addiction or anger and bitterness or depression. Others struggle with one or several issues a long time, sometimes a lifetime. It may help to enlist the help of someone else in the struggle. An accountability partner may help lend the strength you cannot muster up on your own. Rest assured, however, that as you press in to God (they that wait upon the Lord....) He will continue to do His perfecting work in your life. It may well be that the issues upon which you focus are best dealt with after a foundation has first been laid in other areas of your life. Or, to look at it another way, the wall you are looking to break through may crumble under its own weight when the bedrock upon which it rests has been broken up and removed.

Absolutely! This is one of the important reasons to be in church! We assign all new converts someone in the congregation to be friends with who has had the same kind of problem in their life.

It is ACCOUNTABILITY!
 
The important thing is, don't give up hope. A practical suggestion would be to avoid, if possible, the circumstances which brings about your own peculiar temptation. Often we can struggle because we put ourselves in the position to be tempted in the first place.

Excellant!
 
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