What I hate, that I do
Today's focusPaul describes doing what he hates and failing to do the good he wants, feeling captive to a law of sin in his members, and cries, 'Who shall deliver me?' before thanking God through Jesus Christ.
Read
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Reflection
It is a deeply painful experience to want to do good, yet find yourself doing the very thing you "hate." You may feel as though there is a war inside you, where your heart desires to follow God’s way, but your actions seem driven by a different power. Paul describes this struggle with total honesty, admitting that while "to will is present" with him, he cannot find how "to perform that which is good." If you feel trapped in a cycle of behavior you do not want, you are not alone in this battle.
The passage explains that this conflict happens because "evil is present" even when we want to do right. It can feel like being brought "into captivity to the law of sin," leading to the desperate cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?" This cry is not a sign of failure, but a step toward the truth. The passage points you away from your own strength and toward a source of rescue, ending with the hopeful realization: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Deliverance begins when we look to Him.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Where do you see yourself in Paul's words about doing what you do not want to do?
Pray
Lord, I know what it is to do the very thing I hate. I cannot set myself free by trying harder alone. Thank you that deliverance comes through Jesus Christ.