"For that I will, the good I do not do, but that not willed, this evil I keep practicing."1
Notice the words do poieó "I do, make" and practice, prassó, "I do, perform, accomplish, practice." They are similar in meaning but the first refers to a single act unlike the latter which is implying what is done as a regular practice – i.e. a routine or habit. When I believed, I was born of Spirit, in my inner being, I am obedient, righteous, a perfect creation, I will to do good, but how do I practice such?
"I find the principle; that willing to do good, evil is present with me."3
Notice in these scriptures the word for will, theló "I will," this is not to be confused with desire. Our desire and our will are not always aligned. This word for will is often translated as desire or wish but desire is the word epithumia (from epí, "focused on" and thymós, "passionate desire") – properly, passion built on strong feelings (urges). A transformed believer is one whose desire aligns with the will of God, the will is working within to produce desire that is good, not the passions of the flesh. God doesn't control us, like some robot, we have a will, and for believers He is working within us to divinely persuade us of his perfect will.
"for God is the one working in you, both to will and to work according to his good pleasure."5
I am obedient, when I believed I entered into covenant with God, the blood of Jesus sealed the covenant and cleansed my heart from sin. I was sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, I have this will within and have become obligated to righteousness, "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness."6 I am in my spirit perfect, willingly obedient, a son not a slave, I am no longer defined by the sinful nature, I am a new creation in Christ, however, as Paul writes there exists a principle that evil is present within my body.
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh, for to will is present with me but I do not practice the good."7
Evil is present within my body and my desire to sin can be against my will. In fact I can practice sin as a believer, having desire contrary to will. The will to do good is there, it is God's will working in me, but "for the good I will to do, I do not, but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."8 Here is where understanding can go wrong, a believer is not defined by whether they practice sin or not but by being born of Spirit, it is those born of Spirit and not the flesh with its sinful desires that will inherit the kingdom of God. So we see a difference between desire and will, if I do not understand this I can confuse desire with will, thus I defeat myself in overcoming sin.
"So now it is no longer I accomplishing it, but sin that dwells within me."9
If I desire sin as a believer it is not I, not my will but desire, as sin is in my members Paul writes. The word for will is closely related to faith, which has a root word persuade, be persuaded of what is trustworthy. Trust is an important element of this persuasion. Faith helps us align our desire with the will of God, I will and practice the things of God. Transformation renews the mind to not be on fleshly desire but on godly will. There are several principles (I will use principles so as not to confuse with Mosaic law) These principles are at work; the principle of God or of the Spirit of life, sin, of the mind, and that which wars against the mind. These are like laws of nature, it would be wise to understand them.
"For this is the covenant that I will make... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts."9
The principle of God or the Spirit of life was prophesied of and applies when we believe in Christ. As Paul writes the requirements of the law of God are fulfilled by those who walk in the Spirit. We have these laws via the Spirit, being born of Spirit, then to live against these laws is to live in the flesh, against the Spirit, this is a wretched state for a believer. A defining factor of a believer, he wills to do good, he is now a slave to righteousness, he can't live in sin and not struggle with such a state. However, contrary to some, a believer can practice sin.
"and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”11
Common thinking would condemn such a person as not being sincere but if we understand the struggle, we see this verse in new light. This would be the state of a believer, one who practices sin, they will to do good, shown by sincere repentance, but they find not how to practice the good. This is clearly seen in the alcoholic or addict, who has the will but not the means to quit. Some in the church have no solution to such a problem therefore they define practicing sin to that of an unbeliever. But as Paul writes there is this principle, in my members that sin dwells there.
"... that not willed, this evil I keep practicing."10
This principle exists, evil is present in my members. Some would define an unbeliever by whether they practice sin or not, this coming from other scripture that states these who practice sin will not inherit the kingdom of God. And it is true, sin will not inherit the kingdom of God, only those born of Spirit will. To define a "sinner" as someone who practices sin is fine, but to define a believer as someone who doesn't practice sin I find difficult. One would have to ignore the context of these strictures, and say, it was before Paul became a believer or he is talking about the knowledge of good and evil... But lets look at what John writes.
"If we should say sin ourselves do not have, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."11
What does John say? lets read what Paul writes, "moreover, if what I do not want, this I practice, it is no longer I who do it, but sin dwelling in me."12 Then we see John's writing in a different light. If the truth is in me, the Spirit that delights in God's laws, then I will know that sin is also present with me, as the Spirit wars against the flesh, in which dwells sin. So to say we do not have sin is to admit the Spirit of truth is not in me? One should know of such a war of the flesh against the Spirit. Now, John writes also if we abide in Christ we will not sin, this reinforces the principle of the Spirit of life.
"For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are opposed to one another, so that if you will not those things you do."14
Notice both words desire and will. Though I will, the practice or habit of the flesh causes me not to do the good but the evil. There is another principle here at work, a principle of the mind "but I see another principle in my members, warring against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin, being in my members."23 So, something wars against my mind to bring me into captivity to sin. This is no walk in the park thats for sure, it is war.
"For what I do, that I understand not, for I do not what I will, but what I hate this I practice."24
This verse explains the situation of the believer who practices sin. I am reminded of what Jesus said, he without sin cast the first stone. This is the battle of all believers so it helps to understand the principles at work. "I find it to be a principle that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand... I see in my members another principle waging war against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"25
There is a principle that evil is in me. And there is a principle of sin and death, and the principle of the Spirit of life, or principle of God. And one that wars against the principle of the mind. Evil and sin exists in the flesh. The principle of God exists inward in the believer to will to do good, and this will aligned with an approved mind produces peace and life. The principle of sin states that the wage of sin is death. The principle of the mind states that my mind is enmity against God, not subject tot he laws of God, it must be approved, renewed to the things of God.
"I see another principle in my members warring against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin that dwells in my members."25
There is a principle that wars against the mind. What is it? is it the principle of sin surely we are brought into captivity to this principle, or is there another principle? The principle in the previous verse speaks of evil, is evil warring against the mind? In context Paul speaks of the "captivity" of the Law, "we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive,"26 Yes, the mind of the flesh is enmity toward God and can not subject to the laws of God.27 Of course the opposite of war is peace, so the opposite of the mind of the flesh is life and peace, the mind of the Spirit.28
"this knowing that our old self was crucified with him, that annulled the body of sin might be, that no longer enslaved we are to sin."29
This word for annulled (from katá, "down to a point," intensifying argéō, "inactive, idle") – properly, idle down, rendering something inert ("completely inoperative"). The death of the body of sin is annulled, rendered completely inert, powerless, through the death of Christ. This understanding is in the teachings of baptism "We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him."30 We must have dominion over death, this we experience in His death.
"Indeed, sin you will not have dominion over, indeed, not under the Law but under grace."31
Dominion over sin begins by having dominion over death, and there exists a principle, as Paul writes, that gives death and sin its power, through fear and condemnation, it is the Law. Now, the question is asked how do I have peace, no condemnation, if I am under the Law?I will not, therefore we see this principle that I must be released from the Law.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For powerless the Law in that it was weak through the flesh, God of himself sent his Son in likeness of sin and for sin condemned sin in the flesh."29
Christ condemned sin in the flesh, this word for condemn is katakrinó, (from kata and krino; according to, judge against, i.e. Sentence -- condemn, damn) The Law gives condemnation for sin, its power through fear of punishment and death. It causes sin to abound and produces death in man. Christ condemned sin, not the man, thus giving peace, and power through love, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."30 So we see under Grace, the principle that wars against the mind, bringing us into captivity to the principle of sin, this hostility is removed.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."32
To have dominion over sin one must be out from underneath the condemnation of the Law. We see this principle of the mind, the mind of the flesh is hostile towards and can not subject itself to the laws of God. Condemnation is a sign one is under the Law, "And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification."33
"now we are released from the law, having died to that which bound us, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."33
This word for bound, "I hold fast, bind, restrain." The Law was a prison guard keeping Israel bound under sin. No longer are we slaves, but children of God, heirs to the inheritance. We have dominion through Christ, thus death no longer has dominion, sin no longer has dominion, and the Law no longer has dominion. The Law had a purpose, sin was imputed by the Law but under the Law, "in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death."34
"The Law entered that the offense might abound, however where sin abounded grace super abounds."33
As a believer there is this principle that I will to do good, and evil is present with me. It is not I but sinful passions in my body. The Law causes hostility in the mind of the flesh, this warring in the mind brings us into captivity to the principle of sin and death, sin abounds. It is a profound concept but the nature of a child is to do what you tell it not to do, such is a child born into sin. The Law created hostility in the mind of the flesh but grace removes such hostility. And through the principle of the Spirit of life in Christ the mind is being transformed to the things of God. The mind of the flesh can never subject itself to the laws of God, therefore under grace we learn to have dominion over sin.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”34
Dominion comes in His power, in His strength, it is the purpose of grace, "in order that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."35 Where sin abounded God's grace super abounded, in our weakness His grace is sufficient, as his strength is being perfected in us. Through the principle of the Spirit of life, there is no condemnation, fear, shame, guilt, these work opposite of this resurrection into life, Christ came to give us life. I experience this Freedom in Christ, being released from bondage. Dominion comes under grace.
So we see desire versus the will and how the Law caused the desires of the sinful flesh to abound as the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. Aligning our inward desire, to the laws of God, with that outward, what we practice, is a "working out of our salvation" as Paul writes. It is under grace, "faith working through love" not under law. Transformation by the renewing of our minds produces a desire that aligns with will, we are persuaded that his will is perfect, pleasing, and acceptable. We find the power to practice what we ill inwardly.
Notice the words do poieó "I do, make" and practice, prassó, "I do, perform, accomplish, practice." They are similar in meaning but the first refers to a single act unlike the latter which is implying what is done as a regular practice – i.e. a routine or habit. When I believed, I was born of Spirit, in my inner being, I am obedient, righteous, a perfect creation, I will to do good, but how do I practice such?
"I find the principle; that willing to do good, evil is present with me."3
Notice in these scriptures the word for will, theló "I will," this is not to be confused with desire. Our desire and our will are not always aligned. This word for will is often translated as desire or wish but desire is the word epithumia (from epí, "focused on" and thymós, "passionate desire") – properly, passion built on strong feelings (urges). A transformed believer is one whose desire aligns with the will of God, the will is working within to produce desire that is good, not the passions of the flesh. God doesn't control us, like some robot, we have a will, and for believers He is working within us to divinely persuade us of his perfect will.
"for God is the one working in you, both to will and to work according to his good pleasure."5
I am obedient, when I believed I entered into covenant with God, the blood of Jesus sealed the covenant and cleansed my heart from sin. I was sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, I have this will within and have become obligated to righteousness, "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness."6 I am in my spirit perfect, willingly obedient, a son not a slave, I am no longer defined by the sinful nature, I am a new creation in Christ, however, as Paul writes there exists a principle that evil is present within my body.
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh, for to will is present with me but I do not practice the good."7
Evil is present within my body and my desire to sin can be against my will. In fact I can practice sin as a believer, having desire contrary to will. The will to do good is there, it is God's will working in me, but "for the good I will to do, I do not, but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."8 Here is where understanding can go wrong, a believer is not defined by whether they practice sin or not but by being born of Spirit, it is those born of Spirit and not the flesh with its sinful desires that will inherit the kingdom of God. So we see a difference between desire and will, if I do not understand this I can confuse desire with will, thus I defeat myself in overcoming sin.
"So now it is no longer I accomplishing it, but sin that dwells within me."9
If I desire sin as a believer it is not I, not my will but desire, as sin is in my members Paul writes. The word for will is closely related to faith, which has a root word persuade, be persuaded of what is trustworthy. Trust is an important element of this persuasion. Faith helps us align our desire with the will of God, I will and practice the things of God. Transformation renews the mind to not be on fleshly desire but on godly will. There are several principles (I will use principles so as not to confuse with Mosaic law) These principles are at work; the principle of God or of the Spirit of life, sin, of the mind, and that which wars against the mind. These are like laws of nature, it would be wise to understand them.
"For this is the covenant that I will make... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts."9
The principle of God or the Spirit of life was prophesied of and applies when we believe in Christ. As Paul writes the requirements of the law of God are fulfilled by those who walk in the Spirit. We have these laws via the Spirit, being born of Spirit, then to live against these laws is to live in the flesh, against the Spirit, this is a wretched state for a believer. A defining factor of a believer, he wills to do good, he is now a slave to righteousness, he can't live in sin and not struggle with such a state. However, contrary to some, a believer can practice sin.
"and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”11
Common thinking would condemn such a person as not being sincere but if we understand the struggle, we see this verse in new light. This would be the state of a believer, one who practices sin, they will to do good, shown by sincere repentance, but they find not how to practice the good. This is clearly seen in the alcoholic or addict, who has the will but not the means to quit. Some in the church have no solution to such a problem therefore they define practicing sin to that of an unbeliever. But as Paul writes there is this principle, in my members that sin dwells there.
"... that not willed, this evil I keep practicing."10
This principle exists, evil is present in my members. Some would define an unbeliever by whether they practice sin or not, this coming from other scripture that states these who practice sin will not inherit the kingdom of God. And it is true, sin will not inherit the kingdom of God, only those born of Spirit will. To define a "sinner" as someone who practices sin is fine, but to define a believer as someone who doesn't practice sin I find difficult. One would have to ignore the context of these strictures, and say, it was before Paul became a believer or he is talking about the knowledge of good and evil... But lets look at what John writes.
"If we should say sin ourselves do not have, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."11
What does John say? lets read what Paul writes, "moreover, if what I do not want, this I practice, it is no longer I who do it, but sin dwelling in me."12 Then we see John's writing in a different light. If the truth is in me, the Spirit that delights in God's laws, then I will know that sin is also present with me, as the Spirit wars against the flesh, in which dwells sin. So to say we do not have sin is to admit the Spirit of truth is not in me? One should know of such a war of the flesh against the Spirit. Now, John writes also if we abide in Christ we will not sin, this reinforces the principle of the Spirit of life.
"For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are opposed to one another, so that if you will not those things you do."14
Notice both words desire and will. Though I will, the practice or habit of the flesh causes me not to do the good but the evil. There is another principle here at work, a principle of the mind "but I see another principle in my members, warring against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin, being in my members."23 So, something wars against my mind to bring me into captivity to sin. This is no walk in the park thats for sure, it is war.
"For what I do, that I understand not, for I do not what I will, but what I hate this I practice."24
This verse explains the situation of the believer who practices sin. I am reminded of what Jesus said, he without sin cast the first stone. This is the battle of all believers so it helps to understand the principles at work. "I find it to be a principle that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand... I see in my members another principle waging war against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"25
There is a principle that evil is in me. And there is a principle of sin and death, and the principle of the Spirit of life, or principle of God. And one that wars against the principle of the mind. Evil and sin exists in the flesh. The principle of God exists inward in the believer to will to do good, and this will aligned with an approved mind produces peace and life. The principle of sin states that the wage of sin is death. The principle of the mind states that my mind is enmity against God, not subject tot he laws of God, it must be approved, renewed to the things of God.
"I see another principle in my members warring against the principle of my mind and making me captive to the principle of sin that dwells in my members."25
There is a principle that wars against the mind. What is it? is it the principle of sin surely we are brought into captivity to this principle, or is there another principle? The principle in the previous verse speaks of evil, is evil warring against the mind? In context Paul speaks of the "captivity" of the Law, "we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive,"26 Yes, the mind of the flesh is enmity toward God and can not subject to the laws of God.27 Of course the opposite of war is peace, so the opposite of the mind of the flesh is life and peace, the mind of the Spirit.28
"this knowing that our old self was crucified with him, that annulled the body of sin might be, that no longer enslaved we are to sin."29
This word for annulled (from katá, "down to a point," intensifying argéō, "inactive, idle") – properly, idle down, rendering something inert ("completely inoperative"). The death of the body of sin is annulled, rendered completely inert, powerless, through the death of Christ. This understanding is in the teachings of baptism "We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him."30 We must have dominion over death, this we experience in His death.
"Indeed, sin you will not have dominion over, indeed, not under the Law but under grace."31
Dominion over sin begins by having dominion over death, and there exists a principle, as Paul writes, that gives death and sin its power, through fear and condemnation, it is the Law. Now, the question is asked how do I have peace, no condemnation, if I am under the Law?I will not, therefore we see this principle that I must be released from the Law.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For powerless the Law in that it was weak through the flesh, God of himself sent his Son in likeness of sin and for sin condemned sin in the flesh."29
Christ condemned sin in the flesh, this word for condemn is katakrinó, (from kata and krino; according to, judge against, i.e. Sentence -- condemn, damn) The Law gives condemnation for sin, its power through fear of punishment and death. It causes sin to abound and produces death in man. Christ condemned sin, not the man, thus giving peace, and power through love, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."30 So we see under Grace, the principle that wars against the mind, bringing us into captivity to the principle of sin, this hostility is removed.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."32
To have dominion over sin one must be out from underneath the condemnation of the Law. We see this principle of the mind, the mind of the flesh is hostile towards and can not subject itself to the laws of God. Condemnation is a sign one is under the Law, "And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification."33
"now we are released from the law, having died to that which bound us, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."33
This word for bound, "I hold fast, bind, restrain." The Law was a prison guard keeping Israel bound under sin. No longer are we slaves, but children of God, heirs to the inheritance. We have dominion through Christ, thus death no longer has dominion, sin no longer has dominion, and the Law no longer has dominion. The Law had a purpose, sin was imputed by the Law but under the Law, "in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death."34
"The Law entered that the offense might abound, however where sin abounded grace super abounds."33
As a believer there is this principle that I will to do good, and evil is present with me. It is not I but sinful passions in my body. The Law causes hostility in the mind of the flesh, this warring in the mind brings us into captivity to the principle of sin and death, sin abounds. It is a profound concept but the nature of a child is to do what you tell it not to do, such is a child born into sin. The Law created hostility in the mind of the flesh but grace removes such hostility. And through the principle of the Spirit of life in Christ the mind is being transformed to the things of God. The mind of the flesh can never subject itself to the laws of God, therefore under grace we learn to have dominion over sin.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”34
Dominion comes in His power, in His strength, it is the purpose of grace, "in order that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."35 Where sin abounded God's grace super abounded, in our weakness His grace is sufficient, as his strength is being perfected in us. Through the principle of the Spirit of life, there is no condemnation, fear, shame, guilt, these work opposite of this resurrection into life, Christ came to give us life. I experience this Freedom in Christ, being released from bondage. Dominion comes under grace.
So we see desire versus the will and how the Law caused the desires of the sinful flesh to abound as the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. Aligning our inward desire, to the laws of God, with that outward, what we practice, is a "working out of our salvation" as Paul writes. It is under grace, "faith working through love" not under law. Transformation by the renewing of our minds produces a desire that aligns with will, we are persuaded that his will is perfect, pleasing, and acceptable. We find the power to practice what we ill inwardly.