Tuesday, April 8’s devotional. Romans 7:15–17 is like a mirror for every sincere Christian: “For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.” Paul isn’t describing a moment of weakness—he’s pulling back the curtain on the inner war that rages in the heart of every believer. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by your sin, confused by your actions, and exhausted by your inconsistency, you’re not alone. Paul felt it too.
In this passage, we meet the Apostle not as a theological giant, but as a man struggling honestly with the sin that clings so closely. As Mark Penrith explains, “There is a division in the heart of a Christian. There is a new nature that delights in God’s law and an old nature that rebels against it.” This explains the tension we often feel. The more we grow in grace, the more we grieve over our sin. Mark says, “This struggle is not evidence of hypocrisy but of holiness. Only the regenerate soul feels this kind of war.”
Paul’s confession isn’t casual. It’s intense. “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (v. 15). That’s not an excuse—it’s an anguished cry. And yet, there is hope even in this struggle. Mark reminds us, “The presence of this battle is a sign that you are alive in Christ. Dead men don’t fight.” In other words, your frustration with sin is not a flaw in your faith; it’s a feature of it.
Paul continues, “Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that it is good” (v. 16). The law isn’t the problem. Sin is. And not just external sin, but indwelling sin—the kind that lives in us and deceives us. Mark puts it plainly: “The enemy isn’t out there somewhere. He’s in here, in the flesh. That’s why sanctification feels like war.”
So, if you find yourself doing what you hate, don’t despair. Run to Christ. Confess your sin. Rejoice that the war within is proof that the Spirit is at work in you. As Mark says, “This is not a fight you face alone. Jesus has won the war, even while you wrestle through the battle.”
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that I do what I hate. Thank You that this struggle is not the end of my story. Strengthen me in the fight. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.