For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (ESV)

Have you ever sat down with a pint of ice cream, intending to eat a little bit of it, only to scarf the whole thing? Or have you ever set your alarm to get up to go to the gym (because that’s what healthy people do), only to hit the snooze for an hour and miss the workout completely? Only me? Well, that’s embarrassing!

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There are so many things that I know I “need” to do or that I “need” to stop doing and yet, I don’t do it, or I keep doing it…The struggle is real. And according to our verse today…the struggle IS real. It’s that warring in our bodies and souls – the desire to be holy and follow God’s commands against the desires of our flesh (we can thank Adam and Eve for that struggle).  

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I love how The Message translation states our passage: “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help!”

Man, I love that so much because I obviously need help! See, I do know the “law,” or in simple terms, right and wrong. I think I know what’s good for me and what is not, but according to our passage, I can’t be trusted to figure out what that is. I will default to what my flesh desires – and that is typically (if not always) sin. I know that sitting down and eating too much ice cream is NOT good for me (or my waistline). I know that going to the gym IS good for me, and yet my flesh wants to be lazy and sleep more. This is where the struggle – the WAR – comes in.  

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And I think we need to be real about this – there IS a war waging. If you are a believer in Christ, Satan has already lost your soul. But, that doesn’t mean he won’t still try to mess with you. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He would like nothing more than to get you caught up in your fleshly desires. He will give you thoughts of “I’m not hurting anybody, so it’s okay.” “You had a hard day, you deserve this.” I think this is where the phrase, “The devil made me do it,” comes from.  

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But the truth is, he CAN’T make you do anything! He can give you thoughts and suggestions. He can make the desires of your flesh look enticing and innocent. But he can’t make you do it. Remember today’s verse: “…and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help!” Praise Jesus, we do have help. The power and blood of Christ in us is the way we overcome the pull of our fleshly desires – it helps us to do the things we ought to do and keeps us from doing the things we shouldn’t do.  

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The Bible promises, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). What are the ways out, though? I think God has given us several ways to escape temptation: through community, prayer, his Word, the Holy Spirit, and sometimes all those things combined. The struggle is real, and God doesn’t expect you to fight it on your own or in your own power – so grab on to the tools he’s given you and face the battle with HIS advantage.  

Dear God, we obviously need help. But in your kindness, you already knew that, and you already made a plan for that – from the power of the saving blood of Christ, to community, to your Word, and your Spirit within us. We know the battle is real, but may we acknowledge that refuge in you is just as real. Help us to find a way to your shelter. Help us to see the escape route when we’ve gotten ourselves in too deep. In the mighty power of Jesus ~ AMEN!!