“Walking in the Spirit” is something that is considered by God a permanent situation for those who are His. Even though believers still sin, they are termed walking in the Spirit because it’s what they always desire. Like Apostle Paul we never desire to sin, but we realize this is not possible, for the sin nature yet indwells.
Rom 7:14 – “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” I believe God allowed the sin nature, i.e. “old man” to indwell within the believer to continue to learn His holiness, and also continue to exercise faith in Christ’s expiation for our sin from its often guilt-accused approaches!
“Whereas, when Paul speaks of his unregenerate state, and how it was with him under the first convictions of sin, he speaks of them as things past, Romans 7:5; besides, several things which are said by the apostle can neither agree with him, nor any other, but as regenerate; such as to "hate evil," "delight in the law of God," and "serve it with the mind," Romans 7:15. Moreover, the distinctions between flesh and spirit, the inward and the outward man, and the struggle there is between them, are to be found in none but regenerate persons; and to say no more, the thanksgiving for deliverance from sin by Christ can only come from such.” -John Gill
Rom. 7:15 - “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do (does not want to sin), that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (it’s not like Paul never practiced holiness but still sinned at times, same as any believer).
Rom. 7:16 – “If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good (another evidence that Paul did not want to sin).
Rom. 7:17 – “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Believers “are not in the flesh,” i.e. not seeking after the sin nature, but after walking in the Spirit. The fact that believers desire to be after the Spirit releases them from guilt of the sin that “captivates” them, and are considered blameless.
Rom. 7:23 - “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Paul is admitting that the indwelling sin nature is causing him to sin. This sounds like bondage but it’s a “captivity” to the sin nature, because it is against the nature of a believer.
Hence, the believer is considered always walking in the Spirit. One either walks in the Spirit or in the flesh; you cannot do both. What we desire is always what the Father desires, because He “works this in you” (Phl 2:13).
-NC
Rom 7:14 – “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” I believe God allowed the sin nature, i.e. “old man” to indwell within the believer to continue to learn His holiness, and also continue to exercise faith in Christ’s expiation for our sin from its often guilt-accused approaches!
“Whereas, when Paul speaks of his unregenerate state, and how it was with him under the first convictions of sin, he speaks of them as things past, Romans 7:5; besides, several things which are said by the apostle can neither agree with him, nor any other, but as regenerate; such as to "hate evil," "delight in the law of God," and "serve it with the mind," Romans 7:15. Moreover, the distinctions between flesh and spirit, the inward and the outward man, and the struggle there is between them, are to be found in none but regenerate persons; and to say no more, the thanksgiving for deliverance from sin by Christ can only come from such.” -John Gill
Rom. 7:15 - “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do (does not want to sin), that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (it’s not like Paul never practiced holiness but still sinned at times, same as any believer).
Rom. 7:16 – “If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good (another evidence that Paul did not want to sin).
Rom. 7:17 – “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Believers “are not in the flesh,” i.e. not seeking after the sin nature, but after walking in the Spirit. The fact that believers desire to be after the Spirit releases them from guilt of the sin that “captivates” them, and are considered blameless.
Rom. 7:23 - “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Paul is admitting that the indwelling sin nature is causing him to sin. This sounds like bondage but it’s a “captivity” to the sin nature, because it is against the nature of a believer.
Hence, the believer is considered always walking in the Spirit. One either walks in the Spirit or in the flesh; you cannot do both. What we desire is always what the Father desires, because He “works this in you” (Phl 2:13).
-NC
