ROMANS Study Guide

nature to serve his self wants and desires without regard to any moral restrictions. The soul of

the new believer is in tune with this temptation because of years of giving in to it. This sin

impulse encourages self-serving - making self the main person we want to please and satisfy .

There yet remains in the believer a “bent” in our soul to serve sin (it was t rained and corrupted

by the old nature we had). This evil “pull or power” is consistently there - speaking to us and

trying to catch our attention and focus. (vss.14-17)

(a) Paul has come to a revelation… this is NOT ME! Not the

“ New me that is in Christ.” (vs.20)

(b) There is a “sin law” working in us…but where?

(1) Paul answers this question in vs.18…

# The Law of Sin dwells in our “flesh”: Flesh is

my old, corrupted way of thinking and reacting to life.

Because it was trained and corrupted by the old nature

that had controlled my life - there is a strong impulse to

continue living for self. Different from the old nature

(Which cannot change -it must die) - the flesh nature

can be forced to face itself and repent and turn from it’s

wicked ways and thinking by the power of the Holy Spirit

and the new desire of the new creation in us that wants

to please God.

# The key to becoming more like Christ is refusing to give

into the corrupt habits and thinking of the flesh nature

by saying no to it and yes to the will of God. This is

known as “crucifying the flesh” or denying it’s wrong

impulses. The key Paul points out is who we daily

choose to surrender to - the old ways or the new ways

in Christ. (Rom.6:16)