Desiring to Do What is Right

Have you ever wanted to do something, and yet there was this thing inside of you that held you back from doing what is right? Whereas if you actually had the ability to do God’s will, you would do it — but somehow, life just doesn’t turn out the way you want it to?

That’s what I’m feeling… hopefully, God would shed some light on me through this passage:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:18

Some words of wisdom from early church theologians…

Chrysostom, in Homilies on Romans 13:

The Soul Governs the Body.
“Paul is not attacking the flesh when he says this. The fact that nothing good dwells in it does not mean that it is evil… Paul is not finding fault with the body but pointing out that the soul is superior to it. It is the soul which governs the body and is responsible for sin, not the flesh.”

Augustine, in Continence 3.6:

“It is possible for a good to be performed when there is no yielding to evil lust, but good is completed or perfected only when evil lust itself no longer exists.”

Prosper of Aquitaine, in Grace and Free Will 4.2:

I Cannot Do It.
“Although Paul has received knowledge of right willing, he cannot find in himself the power to do what he wills. It is not until he receives a good will as a gift that he find the power for the virtues which he seeks.”

SDG