IDOTHATWHICHIWOULDNOT


I DO THAT WHICH I WOULD NOT ROMANS 7:16, “IF THEN I DO THAT WHICH I WOULD NOT, I CONSENT UNTO THE LAW THAT IT IS GOOD.” The phrase, “If then I do that which I would not,” presents Paul as doing something which is against his will. In other words he doesn’t want to do it, and is trying not to do it, but finds himself doing it anyway. In reading what I have just said, many would conclude if Paul, or anyone for that matter, was doing something against his will, in other words, trying not to do the thing, then surely God would not hold him responsible for such action. Yes, God did hold Paul responsible for these failures, and He holds all other Believers responsible as well. It is the same principle with the sinner. He cannot help his condition because of original sin, and in Truth, God does not actually condemn him for that. No, that does not mean that such a condition or situation constitutes Salvation, for it does not. While God may not condemn the individual as such, the individual stands condemned already due to the very fact of original sin. The idea is, that the accountability comes in by man refusing to accept God’s Plan of Salvation which He has provided in the Atonement. In other words, God has the antidote for man’s problem of sin, but most men refuse to accept it. That is where the condemnation comes in. ACCOUNTABLE It works identically with the Believer. The fact of him having a Sin Nature is not his fault, being born into the world with this condition. However, the Lord has provided a remedy for the situation in what Christ did at Calvary. The Believer not taking advantage of that, whether through ignorance or self-will, is the problem. In other words, the solution is there if the Believer wants the solution. As with Paul it may not be easy in coming, and there might be quite a few failures before the Truth is reached. Nevertheless, the remedy is available. If he earnestly seeks God even as Paul did, which should serve as an example for us, the Holy Spirit will see to it that the remedy is found. In fact, we are giving here the remedy which is available to all. So, no matter how hard one tries in the flesh, or how sincere one may be, or well-motivated, if one’s efforts are misplaced, one will not find the victory which only Truth brings. So, the Believer is accountable in any case. The phrase, “I consent unto the Law that it is good,” simply means that the Law of God is working as it is supposed to work. In other words, My wanting to do the opposite of what I do proves My acceptance of God’s Law as good. The idea is, that the Law has pointed out the sin in the Believer’s life, also showing its terrible wrong. However, the Law gives not power to obey the Commandment, because it was never meant to give such power. “”Consent” in the Greek is “sumphemi,” and means “to speak together with, concur with.” Paul is saying, “I don’t want to do this thing which is wrong, and the Law does not want me to do this thing which is wrong.” Consequently, this whole scenario proves that the Law of God is performing its intended purpose. Paul is also saying that it is not the Law’s fault that he is failing, but rather his own fault. However, men have a tendency to want to blame the Law of God instead of their own evil and wickedness. No, the Commandment is not wrong, in fact, it is good. It is the sin in us and our approach to that sin, which is wrong. ROMANS 7:17 “NOW THEN IT IS NO MORE I THAT DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLETH IN ME.” The phrase, “Now then it is no more I that do it,” has been grossly misunderstood by many, which they think is a license to sin. Twisting and perverting Paul’s words, many claim that they are not responsible for their sins. However, they are responsible for their sin, and Paul will now explain what he is saying. The phrase, “But sin that dwelleth in me,” does not really refer to particular acts of sin, but rather the “Sin Nature” which dwells in every Believer. In other words, and as Paul has already said, he does not want to do these things which are wrong, and neither does any True Believer. As we have stated, these are not the words or thoughts of an unsaved man. This is a Person who wants to do right and is actually trying to do right, but failing, and not really understanding the reason why. As we have stated, his Christianity is a mystery to him, at least before the great Truths of Victory in Christ were given to him. Paul is activating the Sin Nature within himself, which is causing all kind of problems, and he really doesn’t know how it is happening. He fights it very hard even as the next verse portrays, but instead of the situation growing better, it is actually growing worse. Paul is not speaking here of the right or wrong of the situation, but rather the cause of what is taking place, which is the Sin Nature. To be frank, when this problem was taking place in Paul’s life, which was immediately after his Conversion, he did not really know or understand any of the things he is now explaining. Looking back, and considering that the Holy Spirit has led him into Truth, with its resultant Victory, he can now explain as to what was taking place at that, time, and what brought on the failure. ROMANS 7:18 “FOR I KNOW THAT IN ME (THAT IS, IN MY FLESH,) DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: FOR TO WILL IS PRESENT WITH ME; BUT HOW TO PERFORM THAT WHICH IS GOOD I FIND NOT.” The phrase, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing,” speaks of man’s own ability, or rather the lack thereof, at least when it comes to spiritual things, in comparison to the Holy Spirit. The idea is, that Paul found out that all of his struggles by his own self-efforts, even as dedicated or as sincere as they may be, brought about no Victory whatsoever. As the sinner has no solution to his spiritual dilemma within himself, likewise, the Believer has no solution within himself regarding these problems. The answer in all cases is Jesus. The Truth is, “flesh” in the Believer is just as ugly as “flesh” in the unbeliever. Actually, it is more ugly in the Mind of God, because so very unnecessary. THE FLESH As we have explained several times, the “flesh” speaks of man’s frailty, inability, and the absolute futility of depending on such to bring about a spiritual change in one’s life. Salvation is all of the Lord, and that means “all.” Man does not need to add anything to this great Plan, and in fact, if he attempts to do so, which all of us have done, and Paul is here describing his own experience, all we do is “frustrate the Grace of God,” which means our efforts hinder Him from doing what He Alone can do (Gal. 2:21). Likewise, many misunderstand this very verse also. They conclude that Paul is saying that the flesh is weak and, therefore, it is going to sin, and there is nothing the Believer can do about it. That is not what Paul is saying. He is referring not to a sinning Salvation, but rather at the futility of trying to over come sin in the flesh, i.e., by one’s own efforts. Actually, the entirety of this scenario is a portrayal of what causes failure and how to have Victory over failure. THE WILL The phrase, “For to will is present with me,” in effect is saying that the “will” is not strong enough to overcome sin, at least within itself. That also means and as we have said, that Satan can override a Believer’s will, that is if the Power of God does not accompany the will. While it is true that the Believer has to will that which God wants, which is absolutely necessary, still, the will of man ideally, is only the trigger. It is not the actual power itself, exactly as the trigger on a gun is not the power of the gun, but rather the explosive charge. Likewise, it is the Holly Spirit Who is the Power, but is triggered by the will of the Believer. However, that within itself is not enough. While the trigger for the gun is necessary, it must be pointing in the right direction to be effective. The Truth is, that the explosive power of the Holy Spirit will not work on our behalf unless we are pointed in the right direction, i.e., in the way of truth. This pertains to the Believer knowing and understanding the Truth about what Jesus has done for us at Calvary, and how that in effect, we were in Him when this was done. So, while the “will” of man is very important, it within itself cannot effect what needs to be done, as should be obvious. GOD’S WILL The idea is, that the Believer’s will coincide with God’s Will, which can only be done if the Believer satisfactorily knows God’s Will. Merely saying it will not suffice. We must know God’s Will, and we can only know that Will according to His Word. “To will” in the Greek is “thelo,” and means “being constantly desirous.” That is, Paul was constantly desirous of doing God’s Will, but it still was not being done. “Present” in the Greek is “parakeimai,” and means “to lie beside.” This came from his Divine Nature (2Peter 1:4), which meant that the Nature of God was in Paul which made him desire God’s Will. The phrase, “But how to perform that which is good I find not,” presents the problem. The will was there, but not the ability to do so. The two words “how” and “find” are not in the Greek Text concerning this phrase. The word “how” was added by the translators to complete the thought. The word “find” one could probably say is a bad translation. The literal Greek reads, “But to perform the good, not.” Paul is saying that while the desire to do God’s Will was always with him, the ability or power to perform it was not. Ignorant of the Truth of Romans Chapter 6,7, and 8, he was depending upon his own efforts to do God’s Will, which is never sufficient. The Reader may wonder as to why the Lord has so constructed the situation in this manner? To one’s thinking, the leaving of the Sin Nature in the Believer after Conversion, seems to be unnecessary, especially considering that in a sense it is the cause of so many problems. As well, I might quickly add that one denying the presence of the Sin Nature really does not change anything. To be sure, one’s friends and loved ones know it’s there, because it is very obvious. In other words, if one thinks one has reached the stage of sinless perfection. Let one know and understand at the same time that ones friends know better. SPIRITUAL PRIDE Man is so constituted, even Believers, that if we experience too much blessing even to the slightest degree, we quickly respond with spiritual pride. In other words, we become puffed up very quickly and very easily. Allowing the Sin Nature to remain in the Believer, although isolated, has a tendency to constantly warn the Believer of his obvious frailty, whether he thinks so or not. We are quickly made to know and realize just how vulnerable we are, and, consequently, how much we must depend on the Lord, and depend upon Him constantly. In other words, the very moment we cease to look to Him, is the moment we veer off track, with the Sin Nature then springing to life, and quickly letting us know that the situation is going wrong. As a result, at least if we want to walk close to God, we find that we must constantly seek His Face, depend totally upon Him, ever learning more about Trust and Faith in Him. So, as stated, it was done for purpose and reason. While Paul actually did find a way to perform that which was good, he did not find it within himself, which is what the Text actually means. ROMANS 7:19 “FOR THE GOOD THAT I WOULD I DO NOT: BUT THE EVIL WHICH I WOULD NOT, THAT I DO.” The phrase, “For the good that I would I do not,” means simply that no matter how hard he tried, and despite all the effort put forth, he simply could not live up to the Moral Law of God. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS I realize that many who have been touched somewhat by the plague of self-righteousness, contend that while some very weak Believers may fall into this category, that surely such does not touch them, especially considering that they are Faith giants. However I remind such people, that if they believe such a thing, that means they are referring to the Apostle Paul as “weak.” I also remind that person that Paul wrote almost half the New Testament and in fact, was given the New Covenant. Consequently, I would hardly think that the term “weak” could be rightly applied to him. The Truth is, that all Believers and irrespective as to whom they may be, are “weak” within themselves. If we do not rightly understand that, then our fall will be even harder. As well, if one truly understands that, one will never look askance at others who seem be having difficulties in this area. In fact, they will have had the same difficulties themselves, and will realize that what they now have is not because of their own power or strength, but rather that of the Lord. Consequently, there is no room to boast. The phrase, “But the evil which I would not, that I do,” completely lays to rest the idea that Paul is speaking here about minor things that are of little consequence. Paul is speaking of “evil” which means “sin.” I realize it is very difficult for us to grasp the fact that the mighty Apostle Paul actually failed God after his Conversion. However, the Text is very plain here that in fact he did, and repeatedly. I think the Reader would have to understand that Paul was a man of great personal courage, of strong determination, and of great resolution. However, these things within themselves were not, and are not, enough. No one, even the strongest among us, can overcome sin within his own strength. No matter how much he hates the thing, even as Paul did, the very evil which he does not want to do, that he will do. IS SIN A MATTER OF CHOICE? In the strict sense of the word, yes! However, it needs some explanation. Anyone reading this Text will have to understand that Paul’s choice was to do good. As well, his choice was not do evil. So the “choice” which in effect is the “will” is not strong enough within itself. So, sin in that capacity is not merely a choice. If it was, Paul would not have had these great problems. As well, there are many Christians even at this very moment who have made the choice not to do certain things which are wrong, but they have had that choice overrode time and time again. So, what is the answer? WHAT TYPE OF CHOICE? As we have already stated, and which the Text plainly bears out, if we try to make a choice respecting sin on the wrong basis, we will fail. In other words, it is not a matter of simply saying “no” to sin, etc. Were that true, then Jesus wasted His time in coming down here and paying the terrible price which He paid at Calvary. I realize that the unconverted world does not say “no” to sin, and in fact, does not desire to say “no.” In fact, they say “yes” to sin, and gladly so! However, with the Believer the situation is altogether different. The moment the person comes to Christ, at that moment the power of the Sin Nature is broken, with the Divine Nature implanted within his heart and life. The Believer is now a New Creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). But then the Believer finds that old sin impulses begin to come back. If he knows who he is in Christ Jesus and more particularly, what and why he is, he merely says “yes” to Christ, and the impulse dies as it is attempting to be born. Consequently, his Sin Nature remains dormant and doesn’t come into play. The Believer is walking in Victory, even as intended. HOWEVER Most of the time and regrettably so, it doesn’t happen that way. The Believer attempts to overcome the evil impulse with his willpower and fails. In other words, he does what the sin impulse demands, which is evil, and which is sin. He feels terrible about the thing, instantly repents, and God instantly forgives, as He always will do (1 Jn. 1:9). However, the Sin Nature has now become active again, and because of the failure brings back the sinful impulse which rears its ugly head again, and again, and again, etc. The failures continue, even as Paul here explains, and the Sin Nature which has been dormant, with that dominion of sin broken, is now once again roaring into a conflagration, in other words out of control. The Believer, even though loving Jesus with all of his heart, and even though he will probably not even admit it to himself, is once again being controlled by the Sin Nature, exactly as he was before Conversion. This is the frustration which Paul felt, and which millions of others have felt after him. To combat this thing, the Believer almost in panic, sets about to do whatever he can do which he thinks or hopes will bring Victory. For instance, he asks for prayer in Church, with hands laid on him. Many times, the Power of God is very effective, with the Believer being touched mightily. He thinks surely that his problem is now solved, but finds that almost as quickly as he walks outside the Church Door, that the sinful impulse returns, and once again he is off to the races --- a race incidentally, which he always loses. He is now more frustrated than ever. Doesn’t the Power of God work? Isn’t prayer effective? He then resolves to try harder, which does not help the situation, but rather exacerbates it. Actually, and as we have stated, it tends only to frustrate the Grace of God (Gal. 2:21. HOW LONG WILL GOD FORGIVE Despite what some Preachers say, God places no limitations on how many times He will forgive. As long and as often as the person is sincere in his heart, and truly seeking forgiveness, forgiveness will always be granted (Mat. 6:14-15; 7:1-5; 1Jn. 1:9). However, even though forgiveness is greatly needed and greatly appreciated, as would be obvious, that is really not the answer. Sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, which regrettably is the case with many if not most, certainly should be obvious that such is not the Will of God. Jesus Christ did not die on Calvary, paying the terrible price which He paid, in order for the Believer to live a defeated life. While forgiveness is always afforded, at least if it is sought, that is only a temporary respite, and not the answer. IS DELIVERANCE THE ANSWER? Yes, but not in the sense in which most people think. While deliverance plays a much greater role in all that God does for us than most anyone would be able to comprehend, still, deliverance in the sense of which most think, is not the answer. The reason is very simple: If the person is delivered, without understanding what the Word of God says about this subject, they will be right back in the same position of defeat almost before the last Hallelujah dies down. WHAT ABOUT DEMON SPIRITS? While demon spirits definitely do play a part in anything which is not of God, still, it is not demon possession that is the problem, even though it certainly can go into demon oppression, which is a different thing altogether. Nevertheless, as Biblical as is Anointing with Oil, and as Biblical as is Laying on of Hands, and as Biblical as is Deliverance, these things are not the answer for this of which Paul addresses. And yet deliverance does play a role, but in a different way than most people realize. When Jesus addressed His hometown of Nazareth, He made a bold and beautiful announcement. He said, “The spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath Anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives…” (Lk. 4:18). If one is to notice, He said “to preach deliverance,” rather than laying hands on the person and delivering them, which is a valid Scriptural Doctrine in certain situations. What did He mean, “preach deliverance?” He meant the same thing that I am saying in this Commentary, whether it is written, witnessed, or preached behind the pulpit. The deliverance comes by the Truth being pointed out to Believers, exactly as the Holy Spirit pointed it out to Paul, with them seeing that Truth, acting on that Truth, and then deliverance coming by that Truth. I speak of Romans Chapters 6,7, and 8. That is what He means by “preach deliverance.” In fact, it is the only “deliverance” which will work in this type of situation, which incidentally, is available to all. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free (deliver you)” (Jn. 8:32). CAN PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING HELP IN THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS? For anyone to ask such a question, shows they have scant knowledge of the Word of God, or else they simply do not believe the Word of God. The breaking of the dominion of sin by Christ in the lives of Believers, which was accomplished at Calvary and the Resurrection, presents a monumental Victory, as should be obvious. That tells us that the problem was and is of such magnitude, that man could not even begin to hope to deal with this monster. If he could, Jesus underwent this horror unnecessarily. It is understandable as to how the world would resort to such choices. They do not know God and, consequently, do not believe God. So they resort to whatever they can. However, for Preachers who claim to believe God and claim to know the Bible, to even remotely suggest such a thing is an insult of the greatest magnitude to Christ and His Finished Work at Golgotha. The problem is sin, not a quirk of nature, not a simple aberration, not a slight mendacity, nor even a personality problem. As stated, it is sin. And if it is sin, and it is, even as Paul plainly states over and over again, then how does man think he can address himself to this situation with psychological counseling and expect favorable results? Don’t Preachers know that this is the very reason that Jesus came to this world? Don’t they know that He came to deliver men from sin? And paid a terrible price in order that this deliverance may be ours? In fact deliverance from sin is the very foundation of the Gospel. It is what Redemption is all about. It is what Jesus did at Calvary and the Resurrection. That is the very reason He came. So, how can the poor, pitiful, foolish, arcane prattle of man, which passes for wisdom, and in fact, is earthly wisdom, which is sensual and devilish --- how can such help anything? (James 3:15-16). The only answer to sin is Jesus. And this is that to which Paul is addressing himself. To be frank, rather than gross unbelief on the part of Preachers, which is a sin of tremendous proportions, I would rather think that most Preachers have resorted to Psychology (psychological counseling) simply because they do not know the Truths presented here by Paul of Romans Chapters 6, 7, and 8. Not knowing what to do, and realizing that the laying on of hands although helping, has not really solved the problem, they had no answers; consequently, they turned to other sources. However, even though that reason may be more noble, if in fact that is the reason with some, the end results will be the same, no help at all! BELIEVERS LOVE TO PLACE THE BLAME ELSEWHERE We have already addressed this, concerning the propensity of Adam after the Fall, blaming Eve. However, the world of Psychology offers another excuse for the Believer. Of course, Psychology does not really believe there is such a thing as sin. They claim that man’s problems, rather from originating inward, actually originate outward. The Bible claims the opposite, which is what this 7th Chapter of Romans is all about. They claim that all men are basically good and if they aren’t, it is because of outward influences, which if corrected, the goodness will return. Of course, they claim they can correct the problem. The Bible teaches the very opposite, in fact that man is inherently bad, and as such there is no good in him (Rom. 3:10-18). The Bible claims that this is the reason for all of man’s problems. As well, it claims that the only solution is a miraculous change on the inside of man, called the “born-again” experience (Jn. 3:3, 16). The Bible claims that Jesus Alone can effect this miraculous New Birth experience, and that it comes only by one having Faith in Him (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9). The Bible places the responsibility squarely on the person, while Psychology, as stated, blames outside forces, such as environment, lack of education or wrong education, abuse as a child, etc. Consequently, many Believers enjoy resorting to psychology, because this makes them think, at least for a short time anyway, that this problem of sin is not their fault or responsibility, but that of someone else, or something else. Consequently, it is eagerly embraced by many, because many enjoy shifting responsibility. The matter with the Lord is very simple. He only asks that the Believer admit that the situation or problem is sin, whatever type of symptom it may have. As well, he must ask the Lord to forgive him, and then to show him the Truth of the great Deliverance and Victory paid for by Jesus at Calvary and the Resurrection. The Lord will do exactly that, exactly as He did with Paul, and Victory can be instantly obtained. Once the Believer knows what Jesus did, and his part in Jesus, and has Faith in that, the Holy Spirit will instantly take control, with Victory assured. Satan doesn’t mind too very much what we do in the realm of personal opposition against him, but he cannot stand at all against Christ and the Spirit of God. THE STRUGGLE If the Believer is fighting and winning, after a while he will fight and lose. That is a guaranteed conclusion. The Believer is commissioned to fight only one fight, and that is the “good fight of Faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). Other than that fight, we are not to fight at all, and because there is no need to fight. That is why Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mat. 11:28). Christianity is to be a “rest” in Jesus, not a continuous struggle against sin. While it is true that the flesh and the Spirit are constantly opposed to each other, still, if we follow after the Spirit, the “rest” will always be ours. Romans 7:20, NOW IF I DO THAT I WOIULD NOT, IT IS NO MORE I THAT DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLETH IN ME. The phrase, “Now if I do that I would not,” is very similar to verse 17, but with on distinct difference. In verse 17, Paul is establishing the fact of the Sin Nature in the life of the Believer. In verse 20, he begins his teaching by declaring in essence, that the Sin Nature is powerful because a particular Law enforces its activity. As we will see, this “law” mentioned by Paul, is not the Law of God, but rather “the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). The phrase, “It is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me,” emphatically states that the Believer has a Sin Nature. The idea is not getting rid of the Sin Nature, which actually cannot be done, but rather controlling it, which the Apostle has told us how to do in Romans Chapters 6 and 8. “Dwelleth” in the Greek is “oikeo,” and means “to occupy a house, reside, remain, to cohabit.” In other words, the Sin Nature will remain in the Believer, until the Trump sounds, and the Believer is then Glorified. Then and then alone, will “….this corruptible (must) put on incorruption, and this mortal (must) put on immortalitiy” (1 Cor. 15:53). However, even though it does remain in the Believer, even with a powerful law attached to it which makes it very effective, ideally it is to be isolated from the Believer, causing him no problem, and in fact is, as long as the Believer is fully trusting Christ (Gal. 2:20). As should be obvious, the 20th verse shoots down the idea held by many Preachers, that there is no such thing as a Sin Nature. ROMANS 7:21, I FIND THEN A LAW, THAT, WHEN I WOULD DO GOOD, EVIL IS PRESENT WITH ME. The phrase, “I find then a law,” does not refer in this case to the Law of Moses as stated, but rather to “…the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). “Law” in the Greek is preceded by the article, in other words, “the law.” The phrase, “That, when I would do good, evil is present with me,” carries the following idea: As sure as “…the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus…” guarantees Victory for the Believer, providing the Word is followed, as sure is the defeat if “…the law of sin and death” is allowed to have its way, with the Word being ignored (Rom. 8:2). “Present” in the Greek Text is “parakeimai,” and means “to lie near, be at hand.” The idea is, that this evil nature (Sin Nature) is always going to be with the Believer. There is no hint in the Greek, considering the words “dwelleth” and “present” that their stay is temporary. Paul brings out the same Truth in Galatians 5:17 where he says, “The flesh (evil nature) has a passionate desire to suppress the Spirit, and the Spirit has a passionate desire to suppress the flesh. And these are set in opposition to each other so that you may not do the things which you desire to do.”