Why do we do the opposite of what we want to do?

There are situations in life that make us react in the least desired way. For example, when we face an unexpected event or receive bad news, instead of reacting in peace or boldly, isn’t it true that we get scared, worried, or stressed out? But if even Jesus himself warned us in advance that in this world we would suffer afflictions and said to have peace because He had overcome the world, then, then why do we react like this?

Paul the Apostle provides an explanation about the difficulties that we endure every day. Romans 7:15-24 says: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 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.  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. 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.  So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”.

We know what we must do, but we go in the opposite direction. Our reactions are the results of our cultural roots, experiences, feelings, and thoughts from the past, and according to the family context where we grew up, what determines our characters. Our culture has a very strong influence, and even though there is a high percentage of people in our countries who say they are Christians, that is not reflected in our societies because we still have great problems of poverty, delinquency, and lack of justice.

The main problem is that calling ourselves Christians, we can clearly see a great difference between being an “admirer” of Jesus or being true worshipers or disciples, those who submit their lives and culture to the culture of the Kingdom of God. Truly, the big problem in our churches is that there are many Christian people who know the Bible, but don’t live according to Its’ teachings. In the culture of the Kingdom of God and in the Scriptures, we find the necessary tools to live the promises of God and overcome our weaknesses.

Paul the Apostle ends up saying in Romans 7:25: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the answer to change from within when we live unsatisfied, sad, or guilty. The Lord wants us to stop acting by our emotions and feelings and to start acting by the promises of God that He has given us to live firmly, holly and pleasing God.

Now, we must learn to respond to His promises. Those promises are each truth and commandment He has revealed in His Word. Therefore, we don’t have to live our lives according to our circumstances or to our culture or past experiences.

Spiritual maturity happens when we believe that no matter what circumstances we are facing, all we need to listen to is what God tells us in His Word.  There is no substitute to obeying God for a disciple of Jesus. He will bring you peace, fulness, and guard your heart and mind. He will guard your feelings and thoughts. God is more interested in changing you, rather than changing your circumstances. We can live our lives based on emotions and circumstances, which are temporary, or on the contrary, live by His promises, producing fruit in our lives. This is what the Bible tells us about living by faith and not by sight. Living by faith means that you act according to whatever you are going through right now, which is the way that many of us are living.  God knows what you’re going through, but He is a Good Father, and He loves you, and you can achieve everything by living according to His Promises.

In the following article entitled “How to live by the Promises of God and not by your circumstances or emotions”, I will give you 3 tips that will give you the key to live the Promises of God.