THE INWARD BATTLE OF ROMANS SEVEN Not to Sin, But the Law of Sin There is an important distinction to see here. The captivity is not to sin, but to "the law of sin" that resides in our "members," or human constitution. That is, Paul does not find himself continually transgressing the law, or falling into moral failures. It is not that he does not want to lie, but finds himself continually doing so. Or, that he does not want to be a thief, but continues to steal everything he can. Improvement in those, and similar, areas of morality can be achieved under the law, or even by those embracing a heathen religion. -- Tomorrow:
"But 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" (7:23).
As you can see, the expressions keep getting stronger and stronger. First, there was an acknowledgment that we did what we did not want (v 15). Then, it was admitted that nothing good could be found in the flesh (v 18). The deficiency of the will was also declared, for Paul could find no way to do what he really wanted (v 18). It was also confessed that the good that was desired was not being done, and the evil that was abhorred was being done (v 19). There was a law resident in him that always competed with the good he wanted to do (v 21). Although he delighted in the Law of God after the inward man, there was a contrary law within that viciously attacked that holy propensity.
As if that was not enough, Paul now makes one of his strongest and most arresting statements. He does not refer to the past, but to the present. This contrary and wickedly militant law, he says, is "making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members" (NASB,NIV). The statement is equally strong in every version of Scripture. Here are some poignant examples: "making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members" (RSV). "This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me" (NLT). "So I am brought to be a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body" (NJB).
Some, driven by a shallow understanding, assume this is the description of a person alienated from God--a person "under the Law." However, Paul says this of himself. He does not speak of the past, but of the present! Further, it does not refer to total domination by sin, but to captivity by the law of sin. Briefly stated, he means the "flesh," within which resides the "law of sin," can assert itself whenever it desires. To put it another way, he cannot stop it from shouting out from the cross. That deviate law cannot force him to sin, but it can force him into the position of having to deal with it.
There is a vast difference in captivity to the law of sin, and enslavement by sin, which was our former condition. Unwanted thoughts course through the mind of the believer. Often they are like floods that wash away spiritually productive thoughts, forcing the believer into the defensive mode. Of course, for the spiritually insensitive, all of this is of no consequence. Sinful thoughts are not painful for them, so they think nothing of their entrance. But for those who walk in the light and live by faith, they are most abrasive and grievous. They contradict what the new heart seeks, enjoys, and ponders.
The very wording of our text confirms the regenerated person is under consideration. To be brought into captivity shows the individual was NOT in captivity before the described experience. But that is not the case with the sinner, for they live every day of their lives enslaved to sin, as formerly described (6:17-21). That is precisely why they need a Savior (5:8-10). That is why we were "delivered from the Law" (7:6). If men could eliminate all sinful impulses, they would need no Savior, no Intercessor, no hope by which they could be saved. The person who says he can, while in the body, eradicate all sinful impulses is a dreamer. The one who says he has, is a liar.
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, grant me grace to acknowledge my weaknesses without being overcome by them.