It is easy to see how there could be disagreement about Paul’s discussion about his humanity and sin in Romans 7. Some argue that Paul must be talking about his life before he was a Christian because of what he says about struggling with sin. I agree, though, with the position that says Paul is giving an honest assessment of the kinds of conflicts and discouragement Christians often experience while battling sin.
There are a few points that refute the argument that Paul is speaking of his pre-Christian existence. In verse 22 Paul says, “I love God’s law with all my heart,” and in verse 25 he says, “in my mind I really want to obey God’s law.” Neither of these would describe Paul’s words before his conversion. Also, this discussion talks about how Paul goes back and forth; he knows how he should act but doesn’t always do so. In Paul’s pre-conversion days, there was no back and forth. He was quite educated in and zealous for the law – he was all black and white with no gray.
I believe Paul is describing what all Christians deal with in our natural human condition: we want to do right and do everything God asks us to do and follow all of God’s commands. However, there is an enemy at work who does not want us to succeed in living sinless lives and serving God. In our fallen, human selves, we are powerless to resist sin on our own. When the enemy attacks and tempts us into sin, if we try to resist in our own power, we will fail. That’s why, after describing this conflict that I believe all humans can relate to, he says in verses 24 and 25, “24 …Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” He is saying that only through the power of the Holy Spirit can a person resist temptation. I believe this also means, as holiness traditions believe, that a person could consistently resist temptation by invoking the Holy Spirit each time he is tempted.