For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
-Romans 7:19
Understanding what God would have us to do is one thing, but doing it is something else altogether. We understand that certain things in life are harmful to us, yet we at times do them anyway. So often people know full well that specific habits are destructive, and yet they choose to engage in them anyway. Why is that? Jesus said that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. The Bible says in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand the way that I am; for what I should do – I don’t do. But what I hate – I end up doing." Paul the Apostle spoke of that war going inside him between the flesh and the spirit. Finally he said in Romans 7:24, 25, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” The only way for overcoming the desire to do those things that go against God’s Word is in Jesus Christ. Without Him and the power He gives through the Holy Spirit, we cannot stand against the wiles of the devil.
Just knowing that something is wrong or harmful is no guarantee that people will leave it alone. When we’re kids we have learn this don’t we? We know that there is electricity in those outlets, but that doesn’t stop a curious boy from sticking a piece of metal in one. I actually knew a boy who did that once, someone else dared him to, not me, but when he did it his hands lit up and it knocked him backwards. He was shaken but otherwise all right. That’s human nature; I know it will hurt me, but I’ll do it anyway. People are the same way towards God.
Christ has called us to obedience and faithfulness, and we are blessed beyond measure when do as He has commanded.
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