Connect Romans 7:18 with Galatians 5:17 on the flesh-spirit conflict. The cry of the apostle: Romans 7:18 “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” • Paul diagnoses the core issue: “nothing good” resides in the flesh—his unredeemed, sin-bent humanity. • Desire alone is powerless; the flesh sabotages every good intention. • This is not a pre-conversion memory but a present reality for every believer still housed in mortal bodies (cf. Romans 7:14, 23). The parallel tug-of-war: Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.” • Same conflict, different letter: the flesh frustrates Spirit-prompted desires. • The verb “craves” shows unrelenting hostility—no truce, no détente. • Paul’s personal lament in Romans 7 becomes a universal principle in Galatians 5. One conflict, two vantage points Romans 7 emphasizes inability (“not the ability to carry it out”). Galatians 5 emphasizes opposition (“are opposed to each other”). Put together, we see: 1. Flesh resists every Spirit-driven impulse. 2. Flesh offers zero power to fulfill the law or please God. 3. Only the indwelling Spirit supplies the will and the power (Philippians 2:13). Defining the combatants • Flesh: the inherited Adamic nature, corrupted desires, self-centered mindset (Ephesians 4:22). • Spirit: the Holy Spirit indwelling every believer, producing new desires and enabling obedience (Romans 8:9). • The believer: a redeemed spirit living in an unredeemed body—simultaneously justified and still awaiting glorification (Romans 8:23). Why the flesh always fails • It is “hostile toward God” and “cannot” submit to His law (Romans 8:7-8). • It offers counterfeit freedom but yields “deeds of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). • It promises life yet ends in death (Romans 8:13). How the Spirit secures victory • He creates new passions: “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24). • He provides new power: “if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13). • He leads moment by moment: “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16). Practical outworking: living Romans 7 through Galatians 5 1. Acknowledge the ongoing conflict. Pretending the flesh is dormant invites defeat (1 Peter 2:11). 2. Refuse fleshly confidence. Self-discipline alone cannot conquer sin (Colossians 2:23). 3. Rely consciously on the Spirit. • Set the mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). • Saturate the heart with Scripture; His word renews the mind (Psalm 119:11; Ephesians 6:17). • Yield promptly to His promptings—obedience strengthens spiritual momentum (Galatians 5:25). 4. Apply the cross daily. Count yourself dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11; Galatians 2:20). 5. Expect progressive growth, not instant perfection (2 Corinthians 3:18). The battle rages, but victory is assured. The sure outcome • The flesh will not win; Christ already has (Romans 7:25). • Final liberation is guaranteed when our bodies are redeemed (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:53-57). • Until then, the Spirit empowers a real, observable transformation—“the fruit of the Spirit” replacing “the deeds of the flesh” (Galatians 5:22-23). Summary snapshot Romans 7:18 exposes the helplessness of the flesh. Galatians 5:17 explains the daily clash with the Spirit. Taken together, they drive us away from self-effort and into Spirit-enabled living, where desire and ability finally unite to honor Christ. |
    |