Humble Confessions

Scripture: Romans 7:18-20 (Paul Writes)

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wlling is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing that very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Paul was one of the great apostles, and he wrote most of the new testament. He spoke many languages, and he was very well educated. He was also sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ, because of the grace that he had received. Even though Paul loved the Lord, he still battled with his flesh. He knew what his flesh was capable of, and what his flesh craved. Though his mind loved and served God, his flesh desired to serve sin. Therefore, Paul had a battle within himself to constantly be on guard against the fight between his mind and his flesh.

Because Paul was in a position of authority, and God used him mightly, one might expect him to be in complete control of his emotions, as well as the needs of his flesh. But Paul, humbly confessed that He had to continually wrestle within himself. He made no claims that he was above the law of sin which warred against the law of the Spirit of Christ within him.

If Paul the Apostle had a battle within himself continually, after he had experienced the very presence of God on the road to Damascus at his conversion; how much more will we contend with our own fleshly desires for things that are contrary to the will of God for our lives.

We must learn from Paul to put our own bodies under subjection, because our bodies are not in control of us, we are in control of our bodies. Therefore, when a temptation rises within us, we can take control of that temptation through the Word of God. The power does not rest within our own ability, but within the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. For greater is He that lives within us than he that is in the world.

The next time that your appetite goes contrary to that of the Word of God, remember how much God loves you, and what He did for you on the cross. Remembering his sacrifice, and his expression of love for us, will help us be faithful to Him and all that He stands for.


Concordance Definitions:
Romans 7:18

Good
1) of good constitution or nature

2) useful, salutary
3) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
4) excellent, distinguished
5) upright, honourable

Flesh:
1) flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts

2) the body
a) the body of a man
b) used of natural or physical origin, generation or relationship

1) born of natural generation
c) the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature"

1) without any suggestion of depravity
2) the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin
3) the physical nature of man as subject to suffering
4) a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast
5) the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God

Willing:
1) to will, have in mind, intend

a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose
b) to desire, to wish
c) to love

1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
d) to take delight in, have pleasure

Present:
1) to lie beside, to be near

2) to be present, at hand

Doing:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve

2) to work out i.e. to do that from which something results
a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion i.e. render one fit for a thing

Good:
1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends

1) genuine, approved
2) precious
3) joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be
4) praiseworthy, noble
c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy

1) morally good, noble
d) honourable, conferring honour
e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for oikeō (Strong's 3611)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 1 Dec 2009. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?

Strongs=G3611&t=NASB >

Higgins, S. (2009). The Appetite of God. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, from http://devotionsforthought.blogpot.com/