Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (NIV)

Ever feel this way? Do you keep doing what you don't want to do, no matter how hard you try to please God?

Don't give up on your faith. Paul, the writer of more books of the Bible than anyone else, had the same problem. It seems the old cartoon of the angel on one shoulder and the Devil on the other shoulder is theological after all.

As long as we are in these earthly bodies we will have to contend with our sin nature. It is a constant reminder of how much we need God in our daily lives.

We must be constantly vigilant because sin is always crouching at the door, waiting for us to crack it open. Satan knows each of our weaknesses and exactly how to enter our lives.

All the more reason to make Christian fellowship, prayer and Bible reading a priority in our daily lives.