“Why Do We Act the Way We Do?”

““Why Do We Act the Way Why Do We Act the Way We Do?”We Do?”

Romans 7:14-25Romans 7:14-25

I. We continue to have a battle I. We continue to have a battle with the flesh.with the flesh.

• There is a struggle within us to live There is a struggle within us to live the right way.the right way.– What we want to do we do not do (15).What we want to do we do not do (15).– What we hate to do we do (15).What we hate to do we do (15).– We continue to fight the sin nature (21).We continue to fight the sin nature (21).

I. We continue to have a battle I. We continue to have a battle with the flesh.with the flesh.

• There is a process to being set free There is a process to being set free from sin.from sin.– We We have beenhave been saved from the saved from the penaltypenalty

of sin.of sin.– We We are beingare being saved from the saved from the powerpower of of

sin.sin.– We We will bewill be saved from the saved from the presencepresence of of

sin – ultimately in heaven!sin – ultimately in heaven!

II. We cannot fight this battle II. We cannot fight this battle in our own strength.in our own strength.

• When we try, it leads confusion (15, When we try, it leads confusion (15, 17).17).– We don’t understand why we do the We don’t understand why we do the

things we do.things we do.– It is no longer us, but sin living in us.It is no longer us, but sin living in us.

• It leads to frustration (18).It leads to frustration (18).– We are unable in our own strength to do We are unable in our own strength to do

goodgood

II. We cannot fight this battle II. We cannot fight this battle in our own strength.in our own strength.• When we try, it leads confusion (15, 17).When we try, it leads confusion (15, 17).

– We don’t understand why we do the things We don’t understand why we do the things we do.we do.

– It is no longer us, but sin living in us.It is no longer us, but sin living in us.

• It leads to frustration (18).It leads to frustration (18).– We are unable in our own strength to do We are unable in our own strength to do

good.good.– We keep on doing what we don’t want to do.We keep on doing what we don’t want to do.

II. We cannot fight this battle II. We cannot fight this battle in our own strength.in our own strength.

• It ultimately leads to desperation It ultimately leads to desperation (24-25).(24-25).– Recognition – “What a wretched man I Recognition – “What a wretched man I

am!”am!”– Helplessness – “Who will rescue me Helplessness – “Who will rescue me

from this body of death?”from this body of death?”– Resolution – “Thanks be to God – Resolution – “Thanks be to God –

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Next StepsNext Steps

1.1. Ask: “What am I a slave to?”Ask: “What am I a slave to?”



2.2. Ask: “What do I have to say ‘no’ to?Ask: “What do I have to say ‘no’ to?




3.3. Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?to?




3.3. Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?to?

4.4. Confess and ask forgiveness and Confess and ask forgiveness and help.help.




3.3. Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?

4.4. Confess and ask forgiveness and Confess and ask forgiveness and help.help.

5.5. Find someone you trust to be Find someone you trust to be accountable to.accountable to.




3.3. Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?Ask: “What do I have to say ‘yes’ to?

4.4. Confess and ask forgiveness and help.Confess and ask forgiveness and help.

5.5. Find someone you trust to be Find someone you trust to be accountable to.accountable to.

6.6. Ask the Holy Spirit to take over and Ask the Holy Spirit to take over and change us.change us.

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“Why Do We Act the Way We Do?”