Explaining Romans 7 in Simple Terms
The Ongoing Battle Inside Every Person
Most of us have experienced moments when we genuinely want to do the right thing, but somehow end up doing the opposite. It can be as simple as wanting to be patient with a loved one, but snapping in frustration—or wanting to avoid gossip, but finding ourselves caught up in it. The Bible, particularly in Romans chapter 7, addresses this feeling head-on.
Paul’s Honest Confession: Good Intentions, Tough Reality
In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul gets very real about his own struggles. He says: “When I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.” In other words, even though he wants to live a good life and follow what God wants, he finds that he sometimes fails and does things he knows he shouldn’t. Paul isn’t talking about breaking some complicated laws—he’s describing a universal human experience. You try to do good, but bad choices or thoughts seem to hang around, ready to trip you up.
Why Is Evil Always There?
Paul explains that it’s not just about habits or mistakes; it’s deeper than that. He describes “sin living in me,” almost like there’s a tug-of-war inside every person. The wish to do good is strong, but there’s also a stubborn side that wants to do the opposite. This isn’t just Paul’s problem—it’s something everyone faces.
Human Nature: Two Sides to Every Coin
Many thinkers, both religious and philosophical, have looked at this and said: humans have the capacity for both good and evil. When we’re honest, we find both urges inside us. Sometimes, the source of temptation is internal—our own thoughts or desires. Other times, it’s something outside us, like negative influences or pressures from others. Either way, the struggle is real.
The Problem of Evil: Why Does It Exist?
This ongoing battle raises big questions: If God is good and wants people to do good, why does evil stick around? Theologians call this the “problem of evil.” It’s one of the oldest and toughest questions, and there isn’t a simple answer. But Paul’s message in Romans suggests that the struggle itself is part of being human. Even people who truly care about doing right will still face temptation and mess up.
The Believer’s Experience: Feeling the Fight
Interestingly, Paul says that the more someone grows in faith and wants to be good, the more they’ll notice the wrong inside themselves. A believer becomes more sensitive to the difference between right and wrong, and wants, more than ever, to follow God’s ways. But even then, they discover that “sin ever springing up,” even when they’re determined to do good. The pain of wanting to do good but falling short is something Paul feels deeply—and many people can relate.
Grace, Not Perfection
Paul also warns against ignoring these inner struggles and just going along with whatever feels right, even when it leads to bad choices. That’s not the way forward. Instead, the believer is “under grace,” meaning they’re trying, failing, and trying again—with God’s help. They delight in what is good, and their heart is in the right place, even if their actions sometimes fall short.
In Everyday Life
So, in plain terms, the idea that “evil is always present” is about the reality that, no matter how hard we try to be good, we’ll always feel some pull towards making bad choices. The struggle itself means our hearts are alive to what’s good. What matters is not perfection, but the ongoing effort to choose good, be honest about our failures, and keep trying.
Life is messy and full of temptations. But recognizing the struggle is the first step toward growth—and, for many, toward experiencing grace and forgiveness. Paul’s words in Romans 7 remind us that we’re not alone in this battle, and that being aware of our faults is actually a sign of spiritual progress, not defeat.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 