ROMANS ROAD DEVOTIONAL | Day 12 - How to Do What You Should Do
DAY 12
Romans 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do...21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
This is an amazing and frank discussion of a conflict that we all deal with sometimes. Paul described in vivid detail a dilemma that we all face. What do you do when you feel pressured to do something wrong, or you’re not doing what you should? Paul said that there was a “law” (or principle) that when you want to do good evil is present.
We live both in the physical world and in the spiritual world. Through our physical senses we are aware of our physical world, and sometimes tempted by things in the world. However, many believers are less aware of their advantages in the world of the Spirit of God. Prayer, God’s presence, and His Word make us aware of the benefits available to us.
People who are intent on serving God quickly discover that there is resistance to doing God’s will. It’s kind of like a football game in which whoever has the football will find eleven men trying to take him down!
When Paul uses the term “body of death” or “flesh,” he’s talking about that part of our human nature that does not cooperate with God. No one is entirely spiritual...we are not in heaven yet! Everybody has to contend with his/her “flesh” but that does not mean that we have to fall or fail. The good news is that the more you serve God the weaker the flesh becomes.
In our spiritual walk, the devil does not have actual power over us. He is a master of distraction and deception. Paul talked about a principle “warring in his members,” referring to his body and its passions. Temptation is obviously real...you can feel it!
So how did Paul resolve his dilemma? Here’s how he did it and how you can do it: Paul recognized that it was useless to try to force his flesh to serve God (remember, we don’t have to “fight” in that manner). He decided that with his mind and soul he would serve the law (Word) of God. It’s sort of like deciding there are people you are not going to listen to, and there are people you are going to listen to. It’s also like deciding to travel down one road, and not down the other road. We cannot do two things at once. When you decide to serve God, there won’t be time for lesser things.
“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (verse 25)
Reflection Question: How did Paul come to victory? How will you do the same?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
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From book & KIndle eBook, "Romans Road" www.VisionBooksMedia.com
