Romans 7:18-19, 23 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice…. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

The battle raging here is between the conscience and the lustful desires within the body. Remember the word of our LORD when He stated, Mark 14:38, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This points out the truth that the part of us that is the strongest is the part of us that will rule. If our focus is on worldly things and the flesh, that’s the part that will be the strongest. If the things of the Spirit are where our focus is, our will should be lined up with the will of the Father and Christ. (Romans 8:5)

Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

From these verses we can clearly see the inner struggle that takes place within us all. It is humbling to know that there is nothing good dwelling within us and that all our works, which we consider righteous, are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6).

As we come to the end of this principle, our hearts have been prepared for the next step, which is a willingness to accept that there is a possibility that we don’t have all the answers.