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!

Every person with an active conscience has experienced what Paul writes about in this chapter. However, only those who acknowledge it and come to Christ in humble faith can make the confession recorded here. Through the centuries people have responded to this internal conflict differently, from ascetics on the one side who say that everything physical is bad (and then take guilty pleasure in it) to hedonists on the other side, who say that if it feels good to the body, it is good. Obviously, current society has swung pretty strongly in the direction of hedonism. However, Paul speaks out strongly against both, condemning sexual sin on the one hand (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) but also saying that everything God created is to be accepted with thanks. (1 Timothy 4:3-5) That balance isn’t easy to keep, and that’s what this chapter is about. In concluding, he gives us this statement of our need for help, and then gives thanks to God. In other words, in Christ we can indeed have victory over this conflict, and that is truly good news. (He expands on that in chapter eight.)

This, of course, reflects my experience, as it does that of every believer. We run into trouble because we try to rely on our own strength, and that’s just not up to the task. Jesus made that clear when he said that simply looking at someone lustfully is committing spiritual adultery! (Matthew 5:28) I feel there is a great deal of wisdom in what D. L. Moody told a young seminary student who complained of the impossibility of purity: “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair!” The devil is constantly throwing temptations at us, and we need to deflect them with the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16) That shows that faith isn’t abstract, but intensely practical and down-to-earth. Without it, we won’t experience victory in our constant struggle with the flesh and the world.

Father, thank You that my “margin of victory” has gotten better over the years. Keep me from relaxing my guard, because the devil certainly doesn’t give up in his attacks. Help me walk in the holiness You intend and lead others to do likewise, so that we may receive the abundance that You have for us in Christ and be fully pleasing to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!