Scripture: Romans 7: 21-24

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Scripture Commentary: We Cannot Overcome Our Sinful Nature and Do Good Without Christ’s Help

We have all said something like this at one time or another: “The devil made me do it.”  “I didn’t do it, the sin in me did it.”

Even though these sound like good excuses, we are still responsible for our actions. We must never use the power of sin or Satan as an excuse because both are defeated enemies.

The “law at work in the members of my body” is the sinful nature deep within each of us.  This is our vulnerability to sin.  It refers to everything within us that is more loyal to our old way of selfish living than to God.

This inward struggle with sin was as real for Paul as it is for us. Whenever Paul felt lost, he would return to the beginning of his spiritual life, remembering that he had already been freed by Jesus Christ.

Without Christ’s help, sin is stronger than we are, and sometimes we are unable to defend ourselves against its attacks. That is why we should never stand up to sin alone. Jesus Christ, who has conquered sin, promises to stand by our side.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 7