In the book of Romans, chapter 7, verse 21, the apostle Paul discusses the internal struggle he faces between his own desires and the influence of sin. He acknowledges that when he acts in ways contrary to his beliefs, it is not truly his own will guiding those actions, but rather the sinful nature within him. This conflict highlights the ongoing battle between our earthly desires and the spiritual transformation that occurs when we align ourselves with God's will. It serves as a poignant reminder that while our sinful nature continues to exert its influence, we have the ability to overcome it through the grace and strength of our faith.

The apostle articulates that upon receiving salvation, the law of God becomes ingrained within us. The Psalmist similarly conveys the concept of a renewed awareness of our sinful tendencies. Our beings become infused with divine presence, resulting in a transformation of our desires to conform to God's intentions. A new inner self emerges, characterized by a steadfast opposition to sin and moral decay. By the benevolence of God, we are liberated from all forms of moral decay. A comparison can be made to the separation of the soul from the physical body at death, with the soul reflecting on the lifeless body. To attain salvation, a rigorous purification process is necessary to attain purity, avoiding any association with impurity as it has the potential to defile us.

God has provided us with a renewed self in order to align our desires with His own. We are encouraged to embrace what God approves of and to reject what He disapproves of. Just as in the Old Testament, where individuals had to remove all leaven from their homes to be considered clean, we too must meticulously purify ourselves. The Psalmist advises us to avoid unfaithful actions and to distance ourselves from those with malicious intentions. We are urged to confront those who spread slander in secret, to avoid those who are arrogant and deceitful, and to not tolerate dishonest behavior. Each day, we are called to silence the wicked and remove evildoers from our lives. As believers with a renewed self, we should not conform to the sinful patterns of the world, as sin can easily corrupt our hearts. It is important for us to be cautious and steer clear of the influence of wicked individuals in order to uphold our holiness and purity.

Merely avoiding immoral individuals to preserve our sanctity does not provide a foolproof safeguard against sin. The apostle underscores the impossibility of completely evading the allure of sin and moral decay by simply steering clear of wicked influences. He acknowledges the inherent presence of sin within us, juxtaposed with our redeemed self that resists sinful inclinations. The apostle grapples with the internal struggle against sin, recognizing that the adversary resides within our own being. This realization prompts his plea for liberation from the sinful tendencies that cling to us. He posits that true freedom is achieved through distancing ourselves from this corrupt aspect of our nature. In essence, he compares the process of attaining complete holiness to the soul breaking away from the sinful body and observing it from a detached perspective. This raises the pivotal question: how can we attain spiritual separation from our sinful proclivities and effectively rid ourselves of the corrupt nature within, in order to ensure our utmost purity?

The use of antibiotics to combat the virus of sin will not completely eliminate the old sinful nature within us. The only way to truly be liberated from this sinful nature is through physical death. As long as we are in our physical bodies, we must bear the weight of sin. However, God has provided us with the ability to overcome this sinful nature by instilling His desires in our redeemed selves. He has given us the redeemed self as a way to establish His kingdom within us. It is essential for us to view ourselves as dead to sin and alive in Christ. By declaring death upon our sinful nature through the law, we can strive against it. God is demonstrating that we have the capability to conquer sin through the declaration of death. While we are unable to control our sinful nature on our own, by pronouncing the curse of death upon it, we can surpass it. By transcending corruption and reflecting on our sinful nature under the curse, we can be saved by Christ from the clutches of sin and death.