Struggling in Quicksand

"For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do,  

but I do what I hate”. Romans 7:15.  CSB

We are in a battle. Note Paul's words above. He wants to do what is right - obeying Jesus and living 

a Christian life but, he ends up doing what he hates - what he knows he should not be doing. Sound familiar? 

The battle is between  our new life in Jesus and our flesh. The flesh wants to hold on to our previous life, before Jesus entered our hearts. We know that what we do in the flesh is wrong but we do it anyway. It is a mighty struggle and we end up thinking, 'What is wrong with me? Surely I'm not a Christian doing this all of the time.'

Paul knows it is wrong but, he can't break free (v16). The closer we get to God, the more conscious we are of sin and failure. And it becomes like wading through quicksand, fighting the struggle not to sink and get swallowed up in the mirey mess. We know it is our flesh and that nothing good lives in our previous life (v18). Remember, even though we have crucified our old self on the cross with Jesus, our flesh hasn't and it will try and pull us in the direction it has always known. Our old self was put to death but our flesh wasn't.

When we come to Jesus, our identity changes; we become like Him with a new direction. We are totally washed clean; our sin is forgiven. However, we are still living in a body that is contaminated by flesh. Therefore, what we don't want to do, we end up doing it but, we are not the one who is doing it, it is this sin that lives within our flesh (v20). Now this is not a feeble excuse or a licence to carry on with our sinful life because we are not responsible for it. Not at all. It is a reminder that we have a choice to make and that is to call on the only one who can rescue us from this quicksand - Jesus. Notice, that Paul gives a shout of 'Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.' (v25).

Remember, we are all the same, we make mistakes, we commit sin and always will until we are safe in the arms of Jesus in heaven. But until then, we have Jesus, who knows what it is like to endure this temptation:

'Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.'   Hebrews 4:14-16. CSB

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. 

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

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