Category Archives: Romans

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).

So what I am bent toward will be what I focus on. That makes sense.

Or to say it “backwards” — what I focus on reveals what I am bent toward.

Either way, it makes me uncomfortable.

How much of my focus exposes a bent toward Mark Roth? Too much, I suppose.

May God bend me more toward Himself.

Here’s the verse again “in Spanish”:

“For those that are of the flesh think on the things of the flesh; but those who are of the Spirit, on the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 7, dark chapter that it is, still ranks as one my favorite chapters. Perhaps that’s because the brightness of the ending is enhanced by the darkness before.

Notice verse 19 and tell me it isn’t a dark, hopeless verse:

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

Or as I translate it from my Spanish Bible:

“Because I do not do the good which I want to do, but the wrong that I do not want to do, that I do.”

When it comes to doing right and living godly, I’m my own worst enemy!

“Miserable me!” exclaimed Paul (in Spanish in verse 24).

I agree.

But Jesus sets me free from myself. And though my flesh continues to work against me, He gives power to my spirit to overcome my flesh.

I can do the good I want to do!