ROMANS

Chapter 7

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STUDY:

For I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what i do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Now if i do what i do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

    How many of us can relate to Paul's frustrations here?  I CAN!  It's always the things I do not want to do at all, that I find myself repeating- like being selfish.  I can be a very selfish person, my family and friends can testify to that, I'm sure! And I am grateful that they realize that I have the desire not to be selfish, but I don't have the ability to always be selfless.

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APPLICATION:

•  What examples do you have of things you hate doing, but seem to do?
  

go to chapter 8

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HIGHLIGHTED TEXT:

For I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what i do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Now if i do what i do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 

{Verses 15-21}

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