Most of us want to be virtuous, shunning evil and distancing ourselves from negative behavior. This is due to a deep-seated yearning for justice, instilled in us by God. We enjoy movies and books where good conquers evil and justice is served, often culminating in the downfall of the villain. Perhaps there is also a part of us that finds comfort in identifying a villain outside ourselves, someone whose misdeeds overshadow our own shortcomings. Romans 7 reminds us that we all harbor a villain within:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing… For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:18-24

   Paul’s struggle resonates with many of us. We all know how to do good, but don’t always do it. For instance:

• We know we should love one another, yet we fail to act on that principle.

• We want to feel appreciated, yet we may overlook the efforts of others. 

• While we appreciate humility, we often pray for success rather than a spirit of meekness.

• We indulge in unhealthy habits, fully aware of their consequences. 

• We struggle to act selflessly without seeking acknowledgment.

• We focus so much on our own personal desires rather than on God’s will for us.

• Although we acknowledge the significance of following God’s Word, we often neglect it.

   Romans 7 reveals the sinful nature within us and highlights our inability to overcome it independently. Each day, we face a battle between our flesh and the Spirit. While we find joy in God’s Word and wish to live by it, our flesh often leads us in the opposite direction. The Apostle Paul articulates this internal conflict, grappling with a persistent issue he wishes to abandon but finds overwhelming. Although his issue is not revealed to us, it’s likely rooted in self-centeredness rather than vices or immoral behavior, as evidenced by his disciplined and devout life described in Philippians 3. Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 12, he recounts receiving a thorn intended to curb pride that might arise from his profound revelations. It’s crucial to understand that Paul’s message is not a license to sin; instead, it emphasizes that our shared struggle with sin is a continuous challenge that persists throughout our lives, and that we can only overcome it through divine intervention.

   So what do we do with the villain within us? Paul utters this frustration with the lament, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” The good news is that we find the resolution to this dilemma in the next few verses, which state, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”, and “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 7:25-8:1). While we may not be holy, perfect, or worthy, the Lord embodies those qualities sufficient for both Himself and us. We can only achieve holiness and perfection by focusing on Him rather than ourselves. Paul ultimately recognizes his own hopelessness and realizes that Jesus Christ is sufficient. Failing to recognize this can lead us to become self-centered, swinging between pride in our successes and guilt over our shortcomings.

    The key is to embrace our vulnerability to allow God’s glory to shine through our weaknesses. Spiritual growth is not marked by a heightened sense of holiness but rather by an increased awareness of our shortcomings, from which we draw strength through the Lord. Acknowledging our inability to be righteous away from God is not indicative of weakness; instead, it reflects courage in the sight of God. Additionally, feeling a sense of guilt for offending God through our sins and genuinely regretting our actions indicates that we are heading in the right direction. While some may take pride in their wrongdoings, we should experience remorse, as we are called to repent.

    There will be times when we feel strong and times when we feel weak, but we need not dwell in guilt or shame for too long. Let’s remember that it was the Lord who triumphed over evil on the cross, not us; and it is through His sacrifice that we can overcome evil by staying connected to Him. Victory over sin does not come from self-hatred or an obsession with perfection; rather, it involves shifting our focus from ourselves to the Lord. While we acknowledge our sinful nature, it does not define our identity. We are children of the Almighty God through Jesus’ sacrifice, period! We may express our frustration with our sinful nature, by saying, “Wretched man that I am,” whenever necessary, but we must always proclaim, “Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ”, for He is sufficient for us.

    Our inclination to sin is something we have to deal with on a daily basis. God did not design our journey in Christianity as a series of levels to be completed until we graduate. Instead, we are called to humble ourselves before God each day, allowing Him to purify us and instill humility within us. This is how we growth in the Kingdom of God, by acknowledging the significance of His sacrifice. If we forget the depths from which the Lords has lifted us, we risk losing sight of our need for His grace. Jesus’ sacrifice impacts our lives now and extends into eternity. We need to remain mindful of this to resist temptation and avoid the despair that guilt and shame can bring.

    Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I want to be kind and loving, yet I struggle to overcome my selfishness, to embrace forgiveness and to stop hurting the ones I love. Despite my efforts, I find myself chasing after unworthy pursuits, doing what I wish to avoid, and failing to do good. I admit my inability to change on my own, recognizing that my sins are ever-present before you, and that only you can help me with my daily struggles. I am grateful for Jesus Christ, who has forgiven all my past, present, and future transgressions. I take comfort in knowing I am not alone; you are with me, guiding me each day. I trust that you will lead me through my challenges and celebrate my successes alongside me. I receive your peace, forgiveness, and love, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!

Photograph source: CANVA