Why Does the Christian Still Sin?
Romans 7:7-17
Aug 27, 2023
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction
A. Listen again to how one of the best Christians who ever lived refers to himself…
1. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
2. Philippians 3:20,21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
3. 1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
B. John Newton, who wrote “Amazing Grace” said, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a WRETCH like me.”
C. Saint Patrick (and he was a saint) said in his testimony in 480AD, “I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful” - written by a great Gospel evangelist here
D. The Apostle John makes it very plain and simple…
1. 1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
2. 1John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him [GOD] a liar, and his word is not in us.
3. So, we Christians still wilfully do wrong things, say wrong things, and think sinful things
4. And when Christians say they don’t sin, they are lying
E. But if I am justified, forgiven, converted, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ…
F. Why do I still sin? It is a big question that requires a big answer…
G. Romans chapter 7 is God’s answer
II. Background
A. We are Three Part Beings - This shell of a body is not all I that am
1. A body, soul, and spirit
a. 1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
b. 2Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
c. 1Corinthians 2:14,15 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
d. I have an outer man – what you see, my body – the natural me
e. And an inner man – the real me, my soul
f. And there is another me, my spirit, where God seeks to dwell! A spiritual man
2. Sometimes Paul is referring to one part and not the other. You need to know which one
3. Because, There is one other thing at work in me - Sin
B. What is sin?
1. A sin is the transgression of the Law - The breaking of God’s laws
2. But “sin” here is referring to an active force in every one of us
a. Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
b. Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence…
c. Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
d. Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
e. Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
f. Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
g. Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
3. It is like a PLAGUE, but far worse!
4. It is Rebellion against God – unwilling to do what God says to do
a. Sin is not just disobedience to God, it is the hatred of God, and an attitude of “you are NOT going to run MY life”
b. Sin began with Lucifer
c. Passed into Adam and Eve, and down into every one of US
d. SIN in you and me, produces sins!
e. It results in individual sins like anger, and lust, hatred, drunkenness, drugging, divorce, adultery, fornication, thievery, lying and so on!
f. And, No matter what sin you get a victory over, another one pops up, because the source of every kind of sin is SIN itself deep in every one of us!
g. We are at our core, REBELS – and that is not a good thing!
5. And it is in you and me right now!
a. We got sin from our parents, all the way back to Adam and Eve
b. Sin is actually in every area of me
c. In my body – selfish
d. Always at work, affecting my soul – my heart, and my will
e. And defiling my spirit
f. Sin affects every part of me
C. What is our Flesh?
1. Our body, hands, eyes, mouth, our digestion, our neurons, our muscles, bones, blood
2. Everything about me that is physical, is my flesh
3. And it loves sin – it loves to rebel against God, and against even my own will
D. You need to know these things to make good sense of all that Paul is helping us with in this chapter – and believe me, it is a great help if you start to believe it!
III. Review
A. As Christians, We Are Dead to Sin (Romans 6:1,2)
1. Written to Christians – people who have repented and believed the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ!
2. Romans 6:1,2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Declared by God to be dead towards sin’s dominion and power over us
4. And made alive towards God – resurrected on the inside
a. When Jesus died, part of a Christian died on the cross with Him
1) Romans 8:3,4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2) Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life [NOW] is hid with Christ in God.
3) That part that died is our outer man – our flesh
4) As far as God thinks, your body is dead and was buried with Christ
b. And the other part of me, my spirit, is alive, resurrected towards God – loves God, and pleases God, wants to serve God
c. THAT is what we learned in Romans chapter 6
B. God’s Laws Are Good (Romans 7:7-14) – so necessary!
1. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
2. It is so common to blame God and His Laws for our condition
a. As if they are out of touch, out of date, irrelevant, old fashioned
b. As if they belong to an ancient society, and not for anyone today
3. But Paul nearly screams, No! God’s laws are perfect, and so needful!
a. Revealing things that are wrong in me
1) Romans 7:7 … I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
2) To show us when we are doing something wrong
3) And that is a good thing
b. The Laws of God in the Bible and in my conscience agitate sin in me (Romans 7:8)
1) Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
2) WITH the law, I am dead!
3) God’s Laws condemn sin – make them very sinful!
4) They aggravate sin, and agitate it in every one of us
a) Make us mad at God
b) Make us hate God’s light, and His holiness
c) Like when you turn on a light, it makes bugs on the kitchen-counter scurry away
c. The Laws of God mature me (Romans 7:9)
1) Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
2) There was a time YOU and I were like that…
a) When we were babies
b) Innocent – even though we were selfish, and self-centred
c) Then commandments came, laws, expectations were given to us
d) And we couldn’t keep obeying – we couldn’t live up to them all
e) And we died on the inside – our spirit died
f) In reality, God’s laws carried out my death – age of accountability
g) But don’t blame the law
d. The Laws of God Condemn Me (Romans 7:10-12)
1) Romans 7:10,11 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
2) And rightly so, Because God’s laws are Good and Right!
a) Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
b) God’s law are not our salvation, but they are not our problem either!
e. The Laws of God have a greater purpose (Romans 7:13)
1) They show us how we really are, and cause us to WANT to be cleansed, washed, forgiven
2) Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
f. God’s law is spiritual (Romans 7:14)
1) Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: …
2) God’s Law is not just do’s and don’t’s
3) It has a spiritual effect on a believer
4) It transcends time, cultures, feelings, emotions, politics, and opinions
5) It came from God, and works at the deepest level in us – in our spirit!
g. So, Learn them, and learn FROM them
h. If you want to be more than a baby Christian!
C. My Problem is IN Me (Romans 7:14)
1. Romans 7:14 … but I am carnal, sold under sin.
2. The new age movement, Oprah Winfrey and almost every song written today says, look inside you to find the light, and follow your heart!
3. WRONG!
4. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing
5. A proper negative view of yourself will go a long way in helping you grow up!
6. That is why God is always working on ME instead of all the people I consider to be my problem!
IV.Message
A. I Am Carnal (Romans 7:14)
1. Romans 7:14 … but I am carnal, sold under sin.
2. Not “I was…” but “I am” – present tense
3. Spoken by a believer – a Christian – look at 7:24,25
a. Romans 7:24,25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this 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.
b. These words were made by one of the most godly men in the New Testament – Apostle Paul
c. Paul is NOT talking about what he was like BEFORE Acts 9 when he got born again…
d. But describes what he is even though he is saved, washed, cleansed, forgiven…
e. He says over and over “I am…” not “I was…”
f. And he is looking forward to being delivered from the presence of his FLESH
4. Paul is in his “flesh”
a. Every Christian has flesh – SURPRISE!
b. And, we live in our flesh, in our bodies
1) Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2) When someone tries to teach you that you are not living in the flesh, they are lying – you are IN your flesh
3) You ought not to be obeying the flesh, but you are still living in sinful flesh!
c. Paul still lives in his body
1) It didn’t disappear when I got born again, forgiven, converted
2) I am stuck in this “tent” of flesh – it goes with me everywhere
3) Until IT finally physically dies
d. The carnal part of me is my “outer me” – what you see (my outer man)
1) His outer man
2) My face, my body, my hands, my tongue, my hair, my feet
3) That is what you and I are
e. He is not superman
f. The flesh of Paul (and you and me) is WEAK, it is Physical, and Temporary – it is dying right now – will not last forever
B. I Am Sold Under Sin (Romans 7:14-16)
1. Romans 7:14 … but I am carnal, sold under sin.
2. Not, “I WAS a slave”, but “I am one”
a. There is a part of Paul that was and always will be a slave to sinful desires
b. Sin has not been removed from me yet – not my flesh
c. It is STILL IN YOU AND ME! Sadly!
3. At least, one part of me is still under sin
4. Sin has no dominion anymore, but still has residency in me
5. And Paul proves it…
C. Proofs Sin Still Runs Our Flesh - We Are Sold Under Sin (Romans 7:14-16)
1. Romans 7:15,16 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
2. Spoken by one of the best Christians who ever lived – the Apostle Paul
3. They describe the battle of sin in him even though he as saved and heaven-bound!
4. I do things I don’t want to do
a. “The things which I DO… are things I won’t allow myself or anyone else do around me”
b. Paul said he did things he doesn’t WANT to do, and won’t allow himself to do!
1) Like smoke, express lust, scream, fight, hate, mock, steal, lie, hit, curse
2) Paul NEVER bragged about not sinning any more at all
3) His only brag was that he was forgiven
5. I DON’T do things that I know I should do
a. “The things I WANT to do… Are things I end up NOT doing”
b. I don’t do the things I know I should do, and even want to do!
c. In other words, There are so many good things, important things I want to do…
1) Like read my Bible every day
2) Like pray about everything
3) Like give faithfully to missionaries and to the poor
4) Like go out soul-winning
5) Like perfectly loving your husband, or your wife
d. But I never do most of them – not consistently
e. And some of you are so hard on other people who are not consistent in their lives, when if anyone watched YOU for a bit, they would see the same inconsistencies in you dear brother!
6. I even do things I hate doing
a. “What I hate doing… I still do them, even though I am forgiven washed, saved, born again”
b. I say hurtful things, hurtful words
c. I do illegal things
d. I hate being rude, yet I am rude
e. I hate my lusting, and yet I find myself looking and longing for what I should not have
f. I know I shouldn’t covet, but I still feel so unhappy when I don’t get what I want
7. Just try and tell me that THAT is not true in your life!
8. Paul isn’t even finished admitting the battle that rages in him now that he is saved!
a. The truth is my will is not strong enough!
b. I can NOT completely stop sin on my own
c. That proves we need laws and rules to constrain us, and to punish us when we break those laws
d. Romans 7:16 … If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
9. Unfortunately, most people don’t care what they are doing
a. They hate themselves. They hate each other
b. But they DON’T hate sin – they actually love their sins
c. They are lazy and do not want to rely on prayer, and on the Holy Spirit
d. And they don’t want to do hard things
e. That is why all modern philosophy is so damning!
D. But, Paul says, I am a Wretched Being – nothing to be proud of
1. Listen to Paul… Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! …
2. Even the best Christian is…
a. Carnal, Sold under sin, Physically Dying, A wretched man
b. And THAT is okay!
c. Because my soul is delivered from the judgment of God
1) The important part of me (my soul) is forgiven, free, and is in a relationship with Jesus Christ!
2) And my flesh is not the real me anymore – it has been declared DEAD by God
3. There is now a power in me (the Holy Spirit) that helps me do right, and makes me a saint!
4. Even the worst Christian is…
a. Spiritual (born again)
b. Free in Christ
c. Has eternal life!
d. A blessed man
e. And THAT is only the beginning!
1) I shall be delivered one day from this body of death!
2) And I will get a NEW body!
3) Because of what Jesus did for me, and my belief that it is true…
4) My soul is forgiven now and forever
5) My spirit is alive now, and forever
6) And my body is doomed to a grave, and will one day be marvellously replaced by a new perfect body that cannot sin, and will live on forever!
7) Hallelujah!
V. Conclusion
A. So, Sin Is Still In Me (Romans 7:17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
B. Sin does what it wants to do, and always will
1. It is active and independent of my own will
2. That’s why a Christian declares, “I am a wretched man” in my flesh
3. On your best days, you are still sinful, and proud, and wretched and wicked
C. And if I don’t think about what I am doing, sin will take over in a heartbeat
1. Like it did in David’s heart the night he took another man’s wife
2. Like it did in Peter’s actions when he decided to deny knowing Jesus Christ
3. Like it did when Demas forsook the Gospel ministry and started loving this present evil world
4. Like it does when you get frustrated, or are bored, or just aren’t careful about what you are watching…
5. And sin WILL bring forth death!
a. Romans 6:23a The wages [RESULTS] of sin is death
b. Even to Christians! (James 1:14-16) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
D. Thankfully, There is a power in me now that helps me do the right things!
1. If only I would lean upon HIM! And obey him, and yield to HIM, and love HIM!
2. Romans 8:13,14 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
3. I told you Romans chapter 8 is going to be glorious!
4. That’s the secret of the victorious Christian life…
5. Depending upon the Holy Spirit of God like you used to depend upon a drug, or a drink, or a friend
E. Such power is only available from Jesus Christ – not this church or some programme
F. All you need to do is believe this, and ask Him to save you – and He will!
G. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (Jesus) shall be saved!