15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. (Romans 17:15-21, NLT)
"The devil made me do it is," what Flip Wilson said, as his character, Geraldine Jones. According to these verses, Wilson got it right. This scripture rings true just as Wilson's quip. It is the sin within that can negatively influence the lives of believers, especially their good intentions.
These verses reflect a part of life that all of us experience but rarely talk about when we come to church on Sunday morning. They're also not easy to include on a blog. Even Pogo (Comic strip) “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
The law certainly convicts of sin. It feels like a war within. Guilt occurs. I, like many Christians, wear guilt well.
But God, in his mercy, has made His righteousness available for us, apart from the Law. No more "legalistic" law keeping,---just allowing Christ keeping us.
I needed to remember that today as I set aside my quiet time to pursue projects. The struggle has continued most of the day. The good news is.....the day is not over. I'm heading to my prayer chair to unwrap a new cuppa faith.