Romans 7:14-20 The Desires of Flesh and Spirit

Romans 7:14-20

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 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. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 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. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 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 thank God I go to a church that encourages reading the Bible and also Jesus says a person cannot not live by bread alone, but by the taking in the Word of God daily; (Matthew 4:4). Because when I do read scripture I realize, the people of the Bible like the apostle Paul, had daily struggles, with living in the flesh and also trying to live a Spiritual life, and consent battle between both. In Romans Chapter, Paul repeats the Law of God is Spirit, but his, mine and your body is flesh, with the desire to please itself, and to say, to hell with what the Spirit of God wants. From the time I wake up and until I sleep again, I am like Paul, I do that what I don’t want to do, and I have hard time understanding, my sinful flesh tells me it’s just natural, the Spirit, that tell me to serve God and teach others He bring peace and purpose to life. It’s War with Flesh and Spirit with inside a Christians and I don’t think it’s accident or by coincidence that in the Paul says he didn’t know what sin was until the Law of God says in the Tenth Commandment told he to not covet or to want or desire something with heart and mind. Jesus says the gospel, I will desire to do whatever my heart treasures,

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

My sinful flesh wants what is tangible, something I can see, touch, taste, and smell. My spirit wants what is spiritual, something unseen, the meaning of life, salvation and eternal. When I live in world where i hear about deadly viruses and see graveyards and don’t see dead friends and family members anymore, that doesn’t seem tangible to my sinful flesh and the struggle is real for me as it was was the the apostle Paul and mostly likely all God’s children. I think there will always be a struggle with our sinful flesh and spirit. Cause it seem for, myself the closer my relationship grows with the Lord, the less worthy if feel of His love and salvation, and the less worthy I feel sharing the word i share with you. Apostle Paul felt the same way;

1 Timothy 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Mercy is something my sinful flesh doesn’t deserve, but because of my spiritual desires to serve the Lord, Jesus demonstrate His perfect patience with those who calls himself or herself the foremost or worst sinner. I ask myself this when i real Romans 7 when my spiritual life is always are warfare, the Apostle Paul tells me, I am not alone in this fight. God bless you all, I love you. Devotional by Samuel Head

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”