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Are You Wrestling With the Flesh?
We all experience it—that inner tug-of-war between who we are and who we want to be. In Romans 7:14-24, Paul paints a vivid picture of this struggle, one that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal.

Join us at Hungry Hearts Collective as we unpack this tension, diving into the complexities of human nature and the transformative hope embedded in these verses. Together, we’ll navigate the battle within, uncovering truths that resonate with our hearts and challenge our spirits.

This isn’t just theology—it’s your story, my story, our story.

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The apostle Paul’s raw and vulnerable confession in Romans 7:14–24 resonates across centuries. It is a poignant articulation of the human condition—the internal battle between the desire to do good and the persistent pull of sin. In this passage, Paul provides a vivid exposition of the believer’s struggle with the law, sin, and the flesh, offering fertile ground for analysis and reflection. The layers of tension Paul describes—between what he desires and what he does—capture an essential paradox of faith.

The Text: A Struggle Laid Bare

Paul writes:

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:14-24, ESV)

Here, Paul grapples with a profound paradox: the law is good, yet it reveals his inability to fulfil it due to the pervasive power of sin. This passage has sparked debates and inspired commentators to delve into its depths. By confessing his internal conflict so candidly, Paul invites believers into a shared understanding of the human condition. Let us consider insights from notable thinkers such as Matthew Henry, Martin Luther, and G.K. Chesterton.

The Law and the Flesh: A Duality Explored

Paul’s assertion that the law is spiritual underscores its divine origin and purpose. The problem, Paul insists, is not the law but the flesh—our fallen nature. Matthew Henry poignantly observes,

“The law is holy, just, and good, and it was given to lead us to Christ. But when men look to it for justification, they pervert its use.”

Henry emphasises that the law exposes sin but cannot redeem us from it. This diagnostic function of the law leaves humanity in a state of tension, unable to find relief apart from grace.

This duality lies at the heart of Paul’s turmoil. On the one hand, he delights in the law of God; on the other, he finds himself incapable of living up to it. Luther, with his characteristic candour, identifies this tension as central to the Christian experience. In his commentary on Romans, he writes,

“The law is a mirror that shows us our filth. It forces us to despair of our own strength and drives us to the grace of God.”

For Luther, the torment Paul describes is not a mark of spiritual failure but evidence of grace at work. The very awareness of this struggle signifies the Spirit’s presence. It is a sign that the believer’s conscience is alive to God’s holiness.

Chesterton’s Perspective: The Paradox of Goodness

G.K. Chesterton, though not a theologian in the conventional sense, brings a unique lens to this passage. His writings often explore the paradoxes of human nature. In his reflections on sin and grace, Chesterton suggests that the capacity for self-awareness—this inner wrestling—is a mark of humanity’s divine image. He writes,

“We are not merely creatures who sin; we are creatures who know we sin.”

For Chesterton, Paul’s cry of “wretched man that I am” is not despair but the prelude to redemption. It is a moment of profound honesty that clears the path for grace. Such honesty, Chesterton argues, is uniquely human; it reflects the paradox of being both fallen and yearning for the divine.

The Anatomy of the Struggle

Paul’s description of the struggle reveals several key dynamics:

1. The Knowledge of Good: Paul’s desire to do good reflects the moral compass provided by the law and the Spirit’s work.
2. The Power of Sin: Despite this desire, sin operates as a force that enslaves, undermining the will.
3. The Cry for Deliverance: Paul’s lament points to the insufficiency of human effort and the need for divine intervention.

This sequence is not unique to Paul but reflects the universal Christian experience. As Henry notes,

“There is a constant combat between grace and corruption, between the regenerate part and the unregenerate part.”

This struggle is not a flaw but a feature of spiritual growth. It is through this internal battle that the believer comes to rely more fully on God. The repetition of failure, followed by repentance, becomes the rhythm of sanctification.

The struggle Paul outlines also serves as a warning. Without the transformative power of Christ, this battle would end in despair. However, in the gospel, we find the assurance that this conflict is not the end of the story. Sin may persist, but it no longer reigns.

Application: Living in the Tension

What can we learn from Paul’s struggle? First, it reminds us that the Christian life is not marked by perfection but by perseverance. Luther’s insight that this struggle is evidence of grace challenges us to see our failures as opportunities to depend more deeply on God. Rather than being disheartened, we are invited to see these moments as milestones on the road to sanctification.

Second, Chesterton’s perspective invites us to embrace the paradox of our existence. The very tension we feel is a sign of life. A heart that wrestles with sin is a heart alive to God. This tension also compels us to extend grace to others, recognising that everyone carries their own burdens of conflict and imperfection.

Finally, Paul’s cry for deliverance points us to the gospel. The chapter does not end in despair but in hope.

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

The struggle is real, but so is the victory that Christ has secured. This victory is not merely future-oriented but present. Even as we wrestle with sin, we are sustained by the Spirit and assured of God’s unrelenting love.

Conclusion

Romans 7:14–24 is a mirror reflecting the believer’s ongoing sanctification journey. Through the insights of Henry, Luther, and Chesterton, we see that this struggle, far from being a sign of defeat, is evidence of grace. It is a testimony to the power of the gospel, which not only reveals our need but meets it with the transforming love of Christ.

Moreover, this passage reminds us of our shared humanity. Paul’s words echo in the lives of all who strive to follow Christ. They teach us that the Christian life is not a triumphal march but a persevering journey—one marked by struggle, yes, but also by unyielding hope. The cry of “wretched man that I am” is not the final word. It is the doorway to grace, the prelude to redemption, and the anthem of every soul being renewed by the love of God.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I come before you acknowledging the internal battle that rages within me, the conflict between my desire to do good and the persistent pull of sin, as described in Romans 7:14-24. I confess that I often find myself doing the very thing I hate, falling short of your perfect standard.

I recognise that the law is spiritual and good, revealing my sin, but I also know that I cannot find redemption through it. Instead, I come to you seeking your grace to cleanse and redeem me. I thank you for the gift of your law, which reveals my shortcomings, and for the gift of grace that makes my redemption possible.

I pray that you help me understand that my awareness of this struggle is not a sign of failure but rather evidence of your grace at work within me. Grant me the humility to see my failures not as defeats but as opportunities to depend more deeply on you. I ask that you would give me the strength and wisdom to embrace this paradox of being both fallen and yearning for the divine, knowing that this struggle is a uniquely human experience.

I know that the Christian life is not about perfection but about perseverance. Give me the courage to persevere through my daily struggles, trusting in your love and victory. Sustain me with your Spirit and fill me with the assurance of your unending love. I ask that you help me to remember that the struggle is real, but so is the victory secured by Christ.

Thank you for the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, our Lord. I pray for the strength to continue in this journey of sanctification and that the knowledge of my wretchedness will be the doorway to grace and redemption. May my life be a testimony to your transforming love.

I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• How does the passage in Romans 7:14-24, as discussed in the text, reflect the internal struggle between the desire to do good and the pull of sin in your own life?
• The text suggests that the law is good but cannot redeem us. How does this understanding shape your view of the role of law in your spiritual journey, and how does it relate to your reliance on grace?
• Luther argues that the awareness of the struggle against sin is a sign of grace at work. How does this perspective change your understanding of your own failures and shortcomings, and how can these be seen as moments of growth?
• Chesterton suggests that our capacity for self-awareness, including the recognition of our sin, is part of our divine image. How can embracing this paradox of being both fallen and yearning for the divine help you on your path?
• The text emphasises that the Christian life is not about perfection but about perseverance. How can you apply this understanding to your daily struggles and find hope and reliance on God in your imperfections?