I DO WHAT I DO...???

I venture to say that there have only been a minuscule percent of the human race who have not either thought or said in one form or another “Why did I do that, I didn't want to do that, I wanted to do this instead” The secular psychological institution over the last two centuries have produced a plethora of theories for why we do the things we do. Just to cite examples; Sigmund Frued posited the theory of the internal subconscious Id and it's instinctual drive in collaboration with the Ego and externally influenced Super Ego.  B.F. Skinnner developed the theory of Operant Conditioning, based fundamentally in the experience of repeated consequence dictating evolving behavior. Then the author of Client Centered Therapy, Dr. Carl Rogers posited that one has the answers but needs needs only to seek within for the explanation of behavior. There are hundreds of other psychological theories that have been developed and promoted over this time to explain all the aspects of the person though most of which are conflicting and incompatible with one another.

We as Christians need to look back to our truth and faith of history to begin to explore this question.

We must remain mindful that our dilemma in this sense differs greatly with the world perspective regarding this issue. We are confounded because the desire of our mind is to serve God as opposed to serving ourselves. The Apostle Paul, arguably the most prolific figure throughout the biblical history addressed this conundrum; I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15. Though the Apostle was writing in narrative case, it is clear throughout his writings that he was also penning his personal struggle, just like each and everyone of us throughout history.

Following verse 15 is the spiritual/psychological, truth/theory that supersedes the aforementioned theories on behavior, dating back to the Garden of Eden and the disobedient behavior that initiated sin into the lineage of mankind. 16. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.   As Paul describes his frustration in his desire to serve God, he agrees with the Law of God and rejoices in it. He wants to do what is right, but his body will not respond. He watches, almost as a third party, as sin sends a signal to his body, and as his body responds, “What would you like to do?” Paul finds, as we do, that while our fleshly bodies refuse to obey God and do that which we desire and which delights God, they quickly and eagerly respond to the impulses and desires aroused by sin. (commentary, bible.org, Diffinbauch)

Seems as though we are quite a mess, huh!

Our short time in this world as children of God is a dueling banjos scenario; A constant internal friction of being a new creation but still having to deal daily with the old sin self who operates by the dictates of the flesh through the inheritance of original sin. Our desperate effort to serve our God out of love, reverence and duty, yet a daily struggle to serve ourselves in effort to soothe, comfort, protect and ultimately satisfy ourselves living in this world. All the while there is a spiritual enemy prowling to devour by facilitating influence and circumstance for us to yield to the flesh and heap guilt and shame upon ourselves to pull us further from our only refuge in Jesus Christ.  But...

I will be teasing out this thread over the summer. Please be on the lookout for my next posting as we search, consider and meditate upon this common human issue and particularly how we as a children of God can wade our way forward in persistence, obedience and adherence to the standard that God has presented to us.

Please comment. Feel free to contact me @ bobylepa@gmail.com

Bob Leppanen