Perfection?

[Pard]

So what does Paul mean when he says we have been freed from sin?

Simply, we are not slaves to it. We are not living a life devoted to sin, for that is a life without God. We are born with a need for God, as I am sure you know. When we do not have God in our life we are left with a hole in our bodies. We become slaves to sin because we keep trying to fill that hole with sin (porn, sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, ect. ect.) and when we come to God we no longer need that sin to fill the hole, because that is what God does for us.

 

[jasoncran]

i find it odd that if god has kept his bible perfectly that men who have followed him wouldnt be like what watchman says

mother teresa, never got there
nor did wigglesworth or
adrian rogers
and franklin graham still needs jesus.

 

[Pard]

i find it odd that if god has kept his bible perfectly that men who have followed him wouldnt be like what watchman says

mother teresa, never got there
nor did wigglesworth or
adrian rogers
and franklin graham still needs jesus.

And Paul would be the first to admit he was a sinner.

 

[bleeverhal]

I am a sinner. Have also been a Christian for about four decades; it has been my experience in this walk of faith that my worst transgressions were preceded by periods of increasing faith during which I became less than humble about how I stood - pride indeed can precede a fall, and when we think we stand is the time to take heed.

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Watchman, you stated that if you sin tomorrow, you would confess and be sinless again. I call that being forgiven, which is not quite the same as being sinless. But thanks to a loving and merciful Father, who graciously sent His son as a sacrifice, and the Spirit as a comforter we are set free of this fleshly body of death. Yes, we are to strive to be sinless, but remember the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and which went home justified.

 

[Sinthesis]

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I am just curious how would you all explain this command of Jesus Christ away? Or do you believe this is attainable?

Context! Context! Context!
Read the whole paragraph. It is obvious the lesson is on impartiality, not sinlessness.

• Mat 5:43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  Mat 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  Mat 5:45 - That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  Mat 5:46 - For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
  Mat 5:47 - And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?
  Mat 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

[watchman F]

So what does Paul mean when he says we have been freed from sin?

Simply, we are not slaves to it. We are not living a life devoted to sin, for that is a life without God. We are born with a need for God, as I am sure you know. When we do not have God in our life we are left with a hole in our bodies. We become slaves to sin because we keep trying to fill that hole with sin (porn, sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, ect. ect.) and when we come to God we no longer need that sin to fill the hole, because that is what God does for us.

If we cannot stop sinning then we are still slave and not free.

 

[watchman F]

i find it odd that if god has kept his bible perfectly that men who have followed him wouldnt be like what watchman says

mother teresa, never got there
nor did wigglesworth or
adrian rogers
and franklin graham still needs jesus.

We all will always need Jesus. It is only through Christ that we can do any good at all

 

[watchman F]

I am a sinner. Have also been a Christian for about four decades; it has been my experience in this walk of faith that my worst transgressions were preceded by periods of increasing faith during which I became less than humble about how I stood - pride indeed can precede a fall, and when we think we stand is the time to take heed.

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Watchman, you stated that if you sin tomorrow, you would confess and be sinless again. I call that being forgiven, which is not quite the same as being sinless. But thanks to a loving and merciful Father, who graciously sent His son as a sacrifice, and the Spirit as a comforter we are set free of this fleshly body of death. Yes, we are to strive to be sinless, but remember the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and which went home justified.

I said that we are able to live sinless lives, and I stand by that statement, but I want everyone to be assured that we cannot live sinless by our ability or our own strength. None of us can on our own live sinless lives, that is why we all need a Savior. However Christ living in us and through us can live sinlessly for us. The good thing is if we do sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, and when we confess our sin He is just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1st John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The first step to being perfected is to realize it is not us, but Christ is us and that we on our own would never be able to accomplish anything, only by the grace of God working is us and for us enables us to accomplish perfection. Even then it is not us, but the Holy Spirit working in us that accomplishes this, yet when we get to Heaven we get the credit. Good deal huh?

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Expanding on that thought made in Philipians 3:3 for one second Lue Engle quotes Mike Bickle in Lue's book ''Nasirite DNA''
''Nazitires who are not living with intimacy with the Lord also face the danger of self righteousness when they rejoice in their commentment to the Lord Jesus and not in Jesus Himself. Just like the Pharisee who despised the tax collector, in Luke 18:9, we will admire our own dedication while looking down on that of others. Too often we judge other by their actions, while judging ourselves by our intentions. The heart of those who rejoice in their own stregnth will end up in one of two pitfalls: either arrogance of accomplishment, like this pharisee, or self hatred as an unworthy son. Only embracing the grace of God to us with humility can help us avoid this''

We not only have to realize that it is God working in us and not our capabilities working for themselves, but we must serve God to the best of our ability out a pure heart of love growing in intimacy with Him, and not our of religious duty to be able to become what God wants us to become in Him while remaining completely humble.

Too many times we who are mature and doing all the right things look down on those that are doing the best they can while stumbling through lifes pit falls. The Church in the only Army I know that kills their own wounded. Rather than putting the finishing blow on someone who is struggling we should reach out to the in the spirit of meekness to help restore them to God.

Galatians 6
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

We are to love one another restoring one another knowing that we ourselves may also one day may fall into temptation. I believe we can live sinlessly, but that doesn't necessarily mean we will, and when we mess up God is not angry, He loves us and wants to restore us. We as fellow believers need to have this same heart toward one another, not judging and nic picking everything we each do.

We are warriors in a real war, this is truly a battle and we need to have each others back, not hold the knife that finishes the other off for good. It is bad enough that The devil sticks his foot out then when we fall he puts that same foot on our necks and try to hold us down, we do not need to kick each other when one goes down. Even the man kicked out of the church of Corinth in 1st Corinthians 5 was forgiven and restored in his relationship to God, and to the church in 2nd Corinthians 2
2nd Corinthians 2
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

So not only do I want to make clear that I know that it is only through Christ that we are able to obey God, but that we all including myself remember to show mercy to our fallen brothers and sisters

 

[jasoncran]

i find it odd that if god has kept his bible perfectly that men who have followed him wouldnt be like what watchman says

mother teresa, never got there
nor did wigglesworth or
adrian rogers
and franklin graham still needs jesus.

We all will always need Jesus. It is only through Christ that we can do any good at all

but you say that we can become sinless aka sinfree ere death before we vacate the earth. so then did christ need to help the whole or the sick?

God wants the glory.

 

[watchman F]

i find it odd that if god has kept his bible perfectly that men who have followed him wouldnt be like what watchman says

mother teresa, never got there
nor did wigglesworth or
adrian rogers
and franklin graham still needs jesus.

We all will always need Jesus. It is only through Christ that we can do any good at all

but you say that we can become sinless aka sinfree ere death before we vacate the earth. so then did christ need to help the whole or the sick?

God wants the glory.

It is only through Christ that we are forgiven of sin, it is only through Christ that we are freed from the bondage of sin, it is only through Christ that we can attain sinlessness, and it is only through Christ that we can remain sinless. No matter where we are in our walk we NEED CHRIST.

 

[westtexas]

There is even evidence in the bible that Jesus sinned. Read the NT all the way through without blinders on and you will find it

I have read it many times and haven't seen the part you are refering to!! I've got the blinders off now so it's your turn to show us where this part of the NT is at!
Westtexas

BUMP FOR NEO

 

[watchman F]

Some claim (many in fact which I find to be very sad) that it is impossible for us to achieve sinlessness in this life, but scripture tells us if we have faith nothing is impossible. Should i believe man or scripture?

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 

[XTruth]

When clear Scripture goes against ones own beliefs, the result is either an attack on the person who is simply relaying the Scripture, or a spreading of scenerios that go against the clear Scripture, yet the Scriptures go grossly ignored in replace of human reasonings. The plain truth is that a Christian is commanded to be sinless and perfect. Perfect is simply being complete in the gospel program... obeying Jesus' commandments and ceasing from sin.

Here is a sample of perfection commands:
Five Commands to be Perfect:

1. To Abraham (Genesis 17:1)

2. To Israel (Deut. 18:13)

3. To Solomon (1 Kings 8:61)

4. To Christians (2 Cor. 13:11)

5. To everyone who wants eternal life (Mat.5:48)

Ten Things in which We can be Perfect:

1. In our walk (Genesis 17:1; Galatians 5:16,25)

2. In holiness (2 Cor. 7:1; Hebrews 12:14)

3. In our ways (2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 18:32)

4. In peace (Isaiah 26:3)

5. In unity (John 17:23; 1 Cor. 1:10; Ephes. 4:13)

6. In good works (Hebrews 13:21; 2 Tim. 3:17)

7. In God's will (Romans 12:1-2)

8. In patience (James 1:4)

9. In faith (James 2:22)

10. In love (1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:17-18)

God's Word is tried in the fire. It has stood all tests. It has never failed those who have pleaded its promises and met its terms before its author.

—Dake's Topics

Can Man Get Rid of Sin by Himself?

It is impossible for man to get rid of sin by himself: "Can the Ethiopian change

his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" (Jer. 13:23). "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matt. 7:18). Man must be changed and made righteous by redemption, and this is the only way to get rid of sin (Lev. 17:11; Matt. 26:28; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 9:14-28; 10:1-18; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-5, 18).

To What Extent Can a Man Get Rid of Sin?

To this extent, that every sin and carnal trait contrary to the moral law can be cleansed from the life, as we have seen in Point III, 7, above, and as we shall see in the next lesson.

Will Sin Ever Return if One is Once Rid of it?

As we have seen, inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the devil working in children of disobedience, and we might as well ask: Will the devil ever return to tempt and enslave a man who has quit serving him? Will he let a man go without a constant struggle to regain control of him again? Does salvation kill the devil or bind him so that he will never again bother a child of God? It is folly to talk about getting any experience that will cause one to be free from all dealings with the devil. He only left Jesus "for a season," and this will be the longest he will ever leave a follower of Jesus. He will come back again and again to try to get a saved man to yield to him, even in the least, on any one point. These temptations, however, do not mean that one has "the old man" or the devil in his life and that he is not "sanctified," as some teach. Temptation will always be the lot of the child of God, but no sin need be committed and no self-condemnation need be indulged in just because of the presence of temptation (Heb. 2:18; 4:14-16; 1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12; 5:8-9; James 1:2-12; 4:7).

Under What Conditions Will Sin Return?

Sin and Satan, like God and righteousness, are ever present, and the saved man will ever be tempted; but sin will never be experienced again in a believer, if he will always yield to God instead of the devil and live and walk in the Spirit, as explained in Point III, 8, above. Under conditions of a low spiritual life, by neglecting daily prayer and reading the Bible, sin will become attractive again to the believer and will be committed again, if this neglect is continued and if one yields to sin again (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13).

—Dake's Topics

 

[XTruth]

When clear Scripture goes against ones own beliefs, the result is either an attack on the person who is simply relaying the Scripture, or a spreading of scenerios that go against the clear Scripture, yet the Scriptures go grossly ignored in replace of human reasonings. The plain truth is that a Christian is commanded to be sinless and perfect. Perfect is simply being complete in the gospel program... obeying Jesus' commandments and ceasing from sin.

Here is a sample of perfection commands:
Five Commands to be Perfect:

1. To Abraham (Genesis 17:1)

2. To Israel (Deut. 18:13)

3. To Solomon (1 Kings 8:61)

4. To Christians (2 Cor. 13:11)

5. To everyone who wants eternal life (Mat.5:48)

Ten Things in which We can be Perfect:

1. In our walk (Genesis 17:1; Galatians 5:16,25)

2. In holiness (2 Cor. 7:1; Hebrews 12:14)

3. In our ways (2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 18:32)

4. In peace (Isaiah 26:3)

5. In unity (John 17:23; 1 Cor. 1:10; Ephes. 4:13)

6. In good works (Hebrews 13:21; 2 Tim. 3:17)

7. In God's will (Romans 12:1-2)

8. In patience (James 1:4)

9. In faith (James 2:22)

10. In love (1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:17-18)

God's Word is tried in the fire. It has stood all tests. It has never failed those who have pleaded its promises and met its terms before its author.

—Dake's Topics

Can Man Get Rid of Sin by Himself?

It is impossible for man to get rid of sin by himself: "Can the Ethiopian change

his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" (Jer. 13:23). "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matt. 7:18). Man must be changed and made righteous by redemption, and this is the only way to get rid of sin (Lev. 17:11; Matt. 26:28; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 9:14-28; 10:1-18; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-5, 18).

To What Extent Can a Man Get Rid of Sin?

To this extent, that every sin and carnal trait contrary to the moral law can be cleansed from the life, as we have seen in Point III, 7, above, and as we shall see in the next lesson.

Will Sin Ever Return if One is Once Rid of it?

As we have seen, inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the devil working in children of disobedience, and we might as well ask: Will the devil ever return to tempt and enslave a man who has quit serving him? Will he let a man go without a constant struggle to regain control of him again? Does salvation kill the devil or bind him so that he will never again bother a child of God? It is folly to talk about getting any experience that will cause one to be free from all dealings with the devil. He only left Jesus "for a season," and this will be the longest he will ever leave a follower of Jesus. He will come back again and again to try to get a saved man to yield to him, even in the least, on any one point. These temptations, however, do not mean that one has "the old man" or the devil in his life and that he is not "sanctified," as some teach. Temptation will always be the lot of the child of God, but no sin need be committed and no self-condemnation need be indulged in just because of the presence of temptation (Heb. 2:18; 4:14-16; 1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12; 5:8-9; James 1:2-12; 4:7).

Under What Conditions Will Sin Return?

Sin and Satan, like God and righteousness, are ever present, and the saved man will ever be tempted; but sin will never be experienced again in a believer, if he will always yield to God instead of the devil and live and walk in the Spirit, as explained in Point III, 8, above. Under conditions of a low spiritual life, by neglecting daily prayer and reading the Bible, sin will become attractive again to the believer and will be committed again, if this neglect is continued and if one yields to sin again (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13).

—Dake's Topics

I've also got a whole listing of Scriptures that I collected by searching out the word "sin" in Strongs Concordance that plainly state that all of God's children are to stop sinning.... plainly from Ex.20:20 - 1 Jn.2:1. Many other word searches were done that doesn't use the word "sin," but very plainly teaches that those who want eternal life should not sin any more, and if ya do, better repent (Rev.2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19).

[ye sin not] This is the purpose and demand of the gospel (Mt. 1:21; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Tit. 2:11-12).

Other words to search for that make it clear that the righteous are to remain righteous, lest they become among the unrighteous, is: blameless, blemish, clean, defile, fault, holy, innocent, perfect, pure, righteous, spotless, stain, wrinkle... also add subfixes and prefixes like -less, etc.

 

[watchman F]

Good job xtruth, I appreciate your insight to the truth of scripture.

 

[Neo]

Ok I am at work so I do not have all of my material with me but I do have my notes on Mark. Here are some verses that display some sinful natures of Jesus.

3:31-35 (honor thy mother and father),9:1 (false prophesy),9:19 (showed contempt to helping people)

These are but a few ( I don't have my notes with me here). If you would like more examples I will provide them once I get home. I think these should suffice though just to prove my point.

When they speak of Jesus being perfect they aren't speaking of actual perfection. It isn't even the right word as previously said. It is talking about the state of his faith and spiritual beliefs. He believed in his convictions without fear and that is what made him perfect and that is why no christian toady will be perfect. Ultimately Christians believe as they do because they do not want to go to hell. You may love god and Jesus but you fear going to hell for not believing. Jesus did not fear this. He knew that he was not going to go to hell no matter what anyone told him. That is where his perfection lies. It is not in his actions nor his words. In Mark 7:14-23 where he talks about what is sinful and what is not sinful there is not one reference to the fact the he is without sin. The claims that Jesus being perfect in his actions are unfounded and largely legendary and mythological. It was common for pagan demigods to be perfect to prove that they were from the gods. The same mentality here. It was interpretated wrongly, accidently or puprosely, and it spiraled into something else. Jesus reached a spiritual maturity that few have done in the past. That is the message that they were trying to convey.

 

[XTruth]

Ok I am at work so I do not have all of my material with me but I do have my notes on Mark. Here are some verses that display some sinful natures of Jesus.

3:31-35 (honor thy mother and father),9:1 (false prophesy),9:19 (showed contempt to helping people)

These are but a few ( I don't have my notes with me here). If you would like more examples I will provide them once I get home. I think these should suffice though just to prove my point.

When they speak of Jesus being perfect they aren't speaking of actual perfection. It isn't even the right word as previously said. It is talking about the state of his faith and spiritual beliefs. He believed in his convictions without fear and that is what made him perfect and that is why no christian toady will be perfect. Ultimately Christians believe as they do because they do not want to go to hell. You may love god and Jesus but you fear going to hell for not believing. Jesus did not fear this. He knew that he was not going to go to hell no matter what anyone told him. That is where his perfection lies. It is not in his actions nor his words. In Mark 7:14-23 where he talks about what is sinful and what is not sinful there is not one reference to the fact the he is without sin. The claims that Jesus being perfect in his actions are unfounded and largely legendary and mythological. It was common for pagan demigods to be perfect to prove that they were from the gods. The same mentality here. It was interpretated wrongly, accidently or puprosely, and it spiraled into something else. Jesus reached a spiritual maturity that few have done in the past. That is the message that they were trying to convey.

I'm sorry, you have been misinformed. Please take these verses into consideration. If you believe that Jesus was with sin, then He is not able to take away your sins if you believe He can. This is an essential doctrine you must have if you want eternal life. It is a deal breaker. Believing Jesus was w/o sin is a must... here is the Word on it...
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor.5:21). For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb.4:15). For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Pt.2:21-24). And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin (1 Jn.3:5).

 

[westtexas]

When they speak of Jesus being perfect they aren't speaking of actual perfection. It isn't even the right word as previously said. It is talking about the state of his faith and spiritual beliefs. He believed in his convictions without fear and that is what made him perfect and that is why no christian toady will be perfect.

XTruth has done well giving you numerous verses showing the sinless nature of Jesus, I'll let you comment on them. I'll comment on the ludicrous statement above. If all it took to be perfect was to believe in our convictions without fear EVERYONE on this forum would be perfect! That is why some of the discussions are so heated sometimes. Even when we are way out in left field, we know without a doubt that we are correct in our beliefs. Catholics, Protestants, JW's, SDA's, Mormons, Buddhist's,....... ALL believe in their convictions without fear. Unfortunately for many, it is our Lord Jesus who has set the standard for perfection, and NOT mere belief in our convictions.
Our Lord Jesus was SINLESS, XTruth has shown you many verses, let's hear what you have to say about them.
Westtexas

 

[westtexas]

Ok I am at work so I do not have all of my material with me but I do have my notes on Mark. Here are some verses that display some sinful natures of Jesus.
9:1 (false prophesy)

Glad you picked this one to talk about, I love this story. This is NOT a false prophecy, it comes to pass 6 days later and in the next 3 verses.
Mark 9:1--And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. (KJV)

This is the story of the transfiguration of our Lord. Peter, James and John are led up on a mountain by themselves and Mark says 9:2&3--"(2)......and he was transfigured before them. (3)And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. (KJV)

Matthew says 17:2--And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (KJV)

Transfiguration in the Greek is "metamorphoo" and is defined as "to change into another form". Verse 1 says that they will see the kingdom of God come with power. Peter, James and John saw this "coming with power" as our Lord's glory was revealed and He was literally changed in front of them. No false prophecy here!!
I look forward to hearing you dispute the verses XTruth has provided for you showing the sinless nature of our Lord.

Westtexas

 

[bleeverhal]

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 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. For I know that nothing good dwells in 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. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
(Rom 7:7-25, ESV)