One of the hardest things about being a human being is that our desires do not always line up with our actions. As humans, it is very possible to really want to do something, and then simply not do it. It is easy to know that something is right and best for us, and then somehow find a way to do the very opposite. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t struggle with this from time to time. I know I do. The truth of the matter is that most of the time I know what I should do. The only question is, will I do it?
Whether it’s drugs, bad relationships, poor financial decisions, negative work habits, or struggles with food – the challenge is the same. At the end of the day, the question is – how do we do what we want to do (the right thing) when there is a part of us that’s pulling us toward the very thing we don’t want to do (the wrong thing)?
Thankfully, we are not the first people to face this. In Romans 7 Paul appears to be speaking of this very battle. There is much debate about Romans 7:14-25, and I’m not going to pretend that I have all the answers. But what I do know is this:
- The first step to conquering our negative desires is a real, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. We’ve already admitted that we can’t do this on our own. We’ve determined that, even when we want to do what is right, we don’t always do it. So, we obviously need help. Jesus is that help.
- There is power available to us that makes it possible for us to live holy, godly lives.
Jesus told His followers that there was great benefit to His going back to Heaven. That benefit includes the coming of the Holy Spirit, to live in us and give us the power to live in ways that are pleasing to God. We are no longer slaves to sin. We have a choice. We have the ability to make good choices – if we truly belong to Christ.
At the end of the day, we have a decision to make. Will we continue, in vain, to struggle to live “a good life” in our own strength? Will we continue to play into the “do wrong, try harder – do wrong, try harder” cycle? Or will we lean on and trust the One who has promised to give us the strength we need in order to overcome?
It is very liberating to think about the freedom that comes from saying to God “I can’t do this. I need help.” It can feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from our shoulders. Am I the only one who wants to experience that freedom? Didn’t think so.
