Romans 7 - The Struggle with Sin
The Law, Inner Conflict, and the Quest for Deliverance
Romans 7
Believers United to Christ
Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law ), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?
For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;
and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;
for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.
The Conflict of Two Natures
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
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.
Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Three Questions
How does Romans 7 depict the conflict between the law and human nature?
What role does the law play in revealing sin's power and presence?
How does Paul describe liberation from this internal struggle in Romans 7?
Question 1 - How does Romans 7 depict the conflict between the law and human nature?
Romans 7 portrays the conflict between the law and human nature as a struggle between the desire to do good and the powerful pull of sin. The chapter emphasizes that the law, while good and holy, exposes the weakness of human nature and intensifies the experience of sin.
Before encountering the law, sin is described as "dead". The law's commandments bring awareness of sin by defining what is wrong, such as coveting.
However, this awareness doesn't lead to obedience. Instead, the law awakens "sinful passions," ultimately leading to death. The very act of recognizing sin through the law fuels the desire to sin.
This paradox is explained by the inherent carnality of human nature. People are enslaved to sin, making them incapable of consistently following the law's dictates, even when they understand and agree with them.
This internal conflict is described as a battle between the "mind" which delights in God's law, and the "flesh" which is captive to the law of sin. The willing spirit desires good, but the flesh is unable to carry it out, resulting in a feeling of being trapped and miserable.
While Romans 7 doesn't explicitly offer a resolution to this struggle, it points towards hope in Jesus Christ. This suggests that through Christ, there's a possibility of deliverance from the relentless conflict between the law and human nature.
Question 2 - What role does the law play in revealing sin's power and presence?
The law plays a crucial role in revealing the power and presence of sin by acting as a catalyst that brings sin to life and exposes its true nature.
Before the law, sin is dormant, almost unrecognizable.
However, when the commandment "You shall not covet" is introduced, sin seizes the opportunity and produces covetousness. This shows that the law provides a framework for understanding sin by defining what is right and wrong.
Sin, previously dead or hidden, becomes alive and active in the presence of the law.
Question 3 - How does Paul describe liberation from this internal struggle in Romans 7?
The Law Amplifies the Sinful Nature
The law not only reveals sin but also amplifies its power, making it even more potent.
Sin, taking advantage of the commandment, deceives and leads to death.
This process reveals the deceitful nature of sin, as it twists the good intentions of the law and uses it to cause harm.
The law's purpose is to promote life, but sin manipulates it to bring about death.
Sin's Power Through The Law
Through this process, the law exposes sin's true nature and power:
Sin is shown to be exceedingly sinful.
The law acts as a mirror, reflecting the depth of human sinfulness.
Without the law, individuals might remain ignorant of their true condition, but the law illuminates their fallen state.
The law's role in revealing sin's power and presence is essential for understanding the need for redemption. By highlighting the pervasiveness and potency of sin, the law prepares the way for the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
Paul, in Romans 7, describes an internal struggle between his desire to follow God's law and his inclination toward sin. He finds liberation from this struggle through Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that while his mind desires to serve God's law, his flesh remains subject to the law of sin. However, he expresses gratitude to God through Jesus Christ for delivering him from this predicament. This suggests that Paul views faith in Christ as the means of overcoming the internal conflict he experiences.
Today’s Action
One action you can take to apply the teachings of Romans 7 is to seek accountability:
Find an Accountability Partner: Identify someone you trust who can help you stay accountable in areas where you struggle with sin or bad habits. Regularly check in with each other to discuss challenges and progress, offering support and encouragement.
This action aligns with the message of Romans 7:18-19, which acknowledges the difficulty of doing what is right despite good intentions, highlighting the need for support and accountability in overcoming these struggles.
Check out this podcast as the hosts dive deeply into this topic.