Spiritual Schizophrenia (7:14-8:4)

Romans 7:14-25 is one of the most confusing and widely debated sections of the New Testament. I have no interest in debating various opinions on this as much as simply communicating my take on it, which may or may not be right.

I believe this section continues to answer the question of how a God-follower and the Law relate. I believe Paul is speaking as a believer, and describing the spiritual schizophrenia that believers experience. Again, the Law is not the problem; it is “spiritual,” but I am “fleshly” (7:14). Apart from God, I do not have the inherent goodness and power to be what I want to be, or anything close to what God would desire. My attempt to follow Christ is frustrating when I try to live in my own power, in striving, and rule-keeping. I have desire, but not ability. As a redeemed believer, I desire to do good, but indwelling sin creates my schizophrenia where I “practice the very evil I do not want” (7:20). Honest words about the real life struggle of a believer.

Paul continues and describes this inner turmoil between the Law of God in the heart and sin residing in us. The spiritually mature Apostle describes his battle as leading him to be “captured,” making him feel “wretched,” and desperately desiring freedom from “this body of death” (7:23-24).

What is the solution? How can God take people who don’t have the power to do good, who respond to the Law by sinning more, not less, and make them truly spiritual? The struggle with the Law of Romans 7 is answered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of Romans 8.

By invading them with His very Spirit.

If you are genuinely a believer, you have the Spirit of God. How, then, shall we live?