Romans 7:18–23
For many men, spiritual disciplines come with quiet frustration. We know we should pray more. We know we should read Scripture consistently. We know we should slow down, reflect, and listen. But knowing does not always translate into doing. Over time, these practices begin to feel like chores instead of sources of strength. When life gets busy, stressful, or exhausting, they are usually the first things to disappear.
Romans 7 explains why that pattern is so common and why the consequences show up so quickly.
In Romans 7:18, Paul admits, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” He is not describing laziness or lack of effort. He is describing a lack of sustaining power. Desire alone fades when pressure rises. Good intentions without reinforcement collapse when real life shows up.
This is where many men misunderstand the purpose of spiritual disciplines. They assume prayer and Scripture are tools for improvement, not necessities for survival. They treat them like optional habits, helpful when life is calm and expendable when things get intense. Romans 7 exposes the flaw in that thinking.
Paul describes an internal war in verses 21 through 23. He wants to do good, yet finds another force at work within him, pulling him toward patterns he does not want. This tension is not theoretical. It shows up in very practical ways. Shorter patience. Quicker irritation. Stronger temptation. Easier distraction. More reactive decisions. Less clarity.
These are not random failures. They are indicators.
When Scripture becomes infrequent, thinking quietly drifts back toward old patterns. When prayer becomes rare, decisions begin to rely on impulse instead of discernment. When silence disappears, distraction fills the space. None of this happens suddenly. It happens predictably. The flesh does not need encouragement to grow. It grows naturally when it is not restrained.
This is why temptation often feels stronger during seasons of spiritual neglect. Sin has not become more attractive. Resistance has become weaker. The Spirit has not left, but His influence has been crowded out by noise, busyness, and self reliance.
Authority always follows presence.
When the Word is present daily, it shapes how you interpret situations before you react to them. When prayer is present daily, it steadies your responses before pressure escalates. When both are present consistently, the Spirit begins to govern decisions that used to be ruled by habit.
This is where spiritual disciplines stop being abstract ideas and become very practical tools.
Prayer is not about saying the right words. It is about acknowledging dependence before the day demands independence. Scripture is not about reading large portions. It is about placing truth in front of your mind before the world places something else there. Even a short, intentional engagement creates influence.
Men often feel spiritually strong after retreats, conferences, or emotionally intense worship experiences, only to feel hollow days later. That is because inspiration is temporary. Habits are not. Transformation is not sustained by moments; it is sustained by rhythms.
Consistency does not earn God’s favor. It positions you under His leadership.
If you are more irritable than usual, more distracted, more reactive, or more tempted, do not immediately condemn yourself. Instead, pause and ask a practical question. What has been feeding my mind this week? What voices have been loud? Which ones have been quiet?
The answer often explains the struggle.
Spiritual disciplines do not make you holy. They make you available. They keep you positioned where the Spirit can lead instead of where the flesh can dominate. That is why they matter. Not as obligation, but as alignment.
Romans 7 shows us the problem clearly. Romans 8 will show us the freedom that comes when life is lived according to the Spirit. The transition between the two begins with recognizing that daily disciplines are not optional extras. They are how you survive the war within and grow stronger in the middle of it.
Unleashed By Faith 
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