If you read either Sister White's quote (the one speaking of Paul, and quoting Romans 7) or consider the context of Romans 7 itself, it appears to me the sin Paul was dealing with was the sin of self-rightoueness -- that is, Paul was attempting to keep the law without being converted. He was unable to do so, and the law brought home to him his condition. In particular, the law against coveting did him in.

The reason the law against coveting caused him such problems, I think, is because it is a law which has to do with ones thoughts. Paul could do all the external things right, but he could not control his thoughts. He knew what was insider of him was not right, and that's what led him to utter the words he did. When he availed himself of "saving grace" he was delivered from his dilema.

It's interesting to me that you (Mike) are so dependent upon Romans 7 to establish a principle which is true (that we are tempted by our flesh) but is not dependent upon Romans 7 to establish. Your interpretation of Romans 7 seems to be dependent on two things:

1)Your idea that an uncoverted cannot utter the words in vs. 24 (which is a personal opinion that several have questioned on the basis of personal experience).
2)A theory you have which you have based on Romans 7.

The theory may be true without your interpretation of Romans 7 being correct. To establish that your interpretation of Romans 7 is correct, it would be a good idea, IMO, to set aside 1) and 2) above and consider what the text says, and consider the context.

The context seems to be suggesting Paul was dealing with some difficulty in Romans 7, and was delivered from that difficulty in Romans 8. Even if Paul was referring to himself as unconverted in Romans 7, that does not mean that the principle being discussed in Romans 7 does not apply to a converted person as well. Sorry for the double negative. Let me restate this. Given that Paul is unconverted in Romans 7, the principle Paul refers to may apply just as much to a converted person as to an unconverted person. The discussion as to whether Paul is converted or not in Romans 7 is only a part of the question. The other part is, what was it that Paul was delivered from?

In fallen state:
Man’s lower nature (flesh) governs (is source for) his spirit,
The spirit governs his mind,
which governs the flesh

Thus fallen man is short-circuited by his ‘modus operandi’ which establishes the law of sin and death

Tom, it looks as though we agree on key points. That’s good. That is, we both agree that the source of our internally generated temptations is fallen flesh nature. I believe Paul refers to it as the “sin” that dwells in us, in our flesh, in verses 17-20. On this we disagree.

John, I like how you make a difference between being under the dominion of the flesh and being under the dominion of the spirit. Do you believe the flesh remains until Jesus returns, that it continues to tempt us after we are born again, after we come under the dominion of the spirit?

This quote equates the sin that dwells in our flesh with our inherited sinful propensities:

1BC 1083
In what consisted the strength of the assault made upon Adam, which caused his fall? It was not indwelling sin; for God made Adam after His own character, pure and upright. There were no corrupt principles in the first Adam, no corrupt propensities or tendencies to evil. Adam was as faultless as the angels before God's throne. These things are inexplainable, but many things which now we cannot understand will be made plain when we shall see as we are seen, and know as we are known (Letter 191, 1899). {1BC 1083.6}

John, I think that was a very nice explanation of Romans 7. I personally would have used the word "mind" instead of "spirit", but I think this is a minor point, although I'm curious to know if you agree with this (i.e. would you be comfortable substituting "mind" for "spirit" when dealing with man, or do you see "spirit" as meaning something fundamentally different?)

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Tom, it looks as though we agree on key points. That’s good. That is, we both agree that the source of our internally generated temptations is fallen flesh nature.

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I agree this is a source, but not the only source. Both our inherited and cultivated tendencies tempt us. Actually we may still be in agreement, since, if I understand you correctly, you believe that our fallen flesh includes cultivated habits as well. I see the flesh as dealing exclusively with inherited tendencies and the mind with cultivated tendencies, so I see both the flesh and the mind involved in our temptations , although in a sense the flesh refers to the mind as well, what the Spirit of Prophesy cause the lower something-or-other. Lower elements. Can't remember. Anyway I would say both the lower elements of the mind and higher elements (the part of the mind that has memory) are involved in our internal temptation. I don't see any difference in this and how one is tempted before conversion. The difference is that after temptation there is a desire to please God and do what is right for righteousness sake which was not present before (at least not to the same degree, and not in the context of having a salvific relationship with Christ).

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I believe Paul refers to it as the “sin” that dwells in us, in our flesh, in verses 17-20. On this we disagree.

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I think John is correct in what he wrote on this.