So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 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.
Romans 7:21-23

Don’t be dismayed at the ferocious daily struggle you face to do what’s right. Don’t be tempted to think it’s somebody else’s fault. Don’t listen to the lies that say that your struggle is unique, that nobody else has to face the same weaknesses and temptations that burn in you.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” (I Corinthians 10:13)

Sinful desire for the very things that God tells us are wrong and commands us to avoid, is natural to us. The Bible calls it the “law of sin that dwells in my members.”

In other words, your very flesh is captive to sinful desires. You won’t get away from them so long as you are living in a physical body that’s still addicted to sin.

The next words that Paul wrote were: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24-25)

But then, he added, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

We live one day at a time, fighting the battle with temptation and sinful desire. Learn to lean on Jesus minute by minute for strength to resist the temptation, and know that because of Him you can count on God’s mercy and forgiveness when you fall.

In the resurrection you’ll get a new, clean body that won’t be subject to those sinful desires, or to the sickness, corruption and death that are the natural result of sin in our world. But meanwhile, the fight rages on. Trust His forgiveness, and draw your strength from Him.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Lord, the new day has begun and my struggle continues. Thank You for Your forgiveness for my failures, for Your understanding of my weaknesses, and for the strength I need to meet the battle today. Keep me close, Lord Jesus, and bring it on! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles