why do you do what you do not want to do, but what you hate to do?

Question

“14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. [c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature [d] a slave to the law of sin.”

Answer 1

Paul was describing a struggle within him in Romans 7. It's a wonderful reminder that we have to discipline ourselves for the purpose of Godliness and be careful what we fill our minds with. Paul's writing is an encouragement for the believer because we know how amazing Apostle Paul was and yet he still struggled and so for all of us who fall so short of God's glory, we are reminded to keep fighting the Spiritual battle and walk carefully in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

lovingly by God's Grace,

Nickster

Answer 2

Paul here was referring to his struggles with sin prior to conversion. We know this to be so because in other passages Paul is confident of his victory over sin calling us more than conquerors etc. through the power of Jesus who slew sin in the flesh for us and now imparts the same power over sin to us through his name and experience.

Answer 3

speak for yourself