What practical steps can we take to align our actions with God's will? Seeing the Battle: Romans 7:20 in Focus Romans 7:20: “And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Paul names the conflict between regenerated desires and indwelling sin. Recognizing that tension is the doorway to genuine change. Step 1: Admit the Problem and Depend on Grace • Confess the presence of indwelling sin, following Paul’s transparency. • Bring every failure into the light—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). • Rely on Christ’s sufficiency, not personal resolve (John 15:5). Step 2: Invite the Spirit’s Daily Control • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Surrender thoughts, plans, and decisions to His guidance at the start of each day. • Expect the Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, etc.—to shape attitudes and choices (Galatians 5:22-23). Step 3: Renew the Mind with Truth • “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). • Feed daily on Scripture; let God’s Word re-pattern your thinking. • Memorize verses keyed to current struggles—Psalm 119:11 guards the heart against sin. Step 4: Choose Obedience Moment by Moment • “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Treat every decision as a fresh opportunity to honor Christ. • Trust God’s enabling power: “It is God who works in you to will and to act” (Philippians 2:13). Step 5: Practice Accountability • “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). • Share victories and vulnerabilities with mature believers who speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). • Encourage and correct each other in real time. Step 6: Keep Short Accounts with God • Return quickly to the cross after any slip. • Receive cleansing each time you confess, enjoying restored fellowship. • Stand on Romans 8:1—no condemnation for those in Christ. Step 7: Persevere in Hope • Look ahead to the day indwelling sin is gone (1 John 3:2). • Hold Philippians 1:6 close: the work He began, He will finish. • Recall past faithfulness to guard against discouragement. Putting It All Together 1. Honest admission of sin’s presence 2. Daily surrender to the Spirit 3. Saturation in Scripture 4. Immediate obedience 5. Transparent fellowship 6. Rapid confession 7. Steadfast hope Romans 7:20 exposes the struggle; the gospel supplies the power to live aligned with God’s will today. |
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