One of the more discouraging discoveries in the Christian life is that trusting Christ doesn’t end our struggle with sin.
Paul describes this conflict in Romans 7: “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (v. 15). He delights in God’s law inwardly, yet still finds sin working within him (vv. 21-23).
This isn’t the language of someone comfortable with rebellion. It is the cry of a believer who loves God, hates his sin, and longs to be free from it.
When Christ saves us, sin’s dominion is broken, but its presence remains. We have been fully justified and truly renewed, but we have not yet been glorified. Until Christ brings us home, the desires of the flesh will oppose the desires of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17).
Our confession describes this as a continuing war. Remaining sin may sometimes gain the upper hand, but through the strength Christ supplies by His Spirit, believers continue fighting and growing in grace (1689 London Baptist Confession, 13.2).
This struggle doesn’t mean grace has failed. In fact, grieving our sin and fighting against it are signs that the Spirit has given us new desires.
But we must never make peace with sin. God’s law still exposes what is evil and calls us to repentance. When we fall, our answer isn’t to hide, excuse ourselves, or promise that we’ll do better next time. We confess our sin and look again to Christ.
Romans 7 ends with hope: “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (vv. 24-25). The answer to our struggle isn’t found within us. Our deliverance rests in Jesus Christ.
So don’t mistake the battle for abandonment. Bring your sin into the light. Pray for help. Receive God’s Word. Seek the care of faithful brothers and sisters. Keep putting sin to death by the Spirit.
And when the struggle leaves you weary, remember what comes next: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
The war is real, but condemnation is gone. Christ has claimed you, Christ is changing you, and Christ will finish what He began.