Yes, of course, but he subdues it - "I allow not". Sinful flesh wars against the Spirit and mind of the new man, tempting him from within to indulge his innocent and legitimate needs in sinful ways. But while abiding in Jesus he does not sin, he cannot sin.

I wonder, then, what is sin: "while abiding in Jesus he does not sin, he cannot sin." Really?

///

It seems Paul in Romans 7 is describing the process of conversion. So perhaps the carnal mind is dying but the person hasn't yet achieved victory in Christ?

I had a short chat with LeRoy Moore this weekend on this very topic. I'll elaborate when I get a better internet connection.

How do you interpret what John wrote in his first epistle?

Rosangela, I believe Romans 7:14-25 describes thoroughly converted Christians who are successfully fighting the good fight of faith - resisting the unholy clamorings of sinful flesh. "I allow not." "So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God."

MM, I agree.

Rom 8:7 says the carnal mind is enmity to God, while Rom 7:25 says he serves the law of God with his mind. Since the carnal mind cannot be subject to the law of God, we must conclude that these two minds are not the same.

Is the man of Rom 7 converted? He is definitely struggling against the flesh. He wants to do good, but there is a warring element in his members. Is this the condition of the unconverted? No. Only the converted wars against the flesh; there is no such conflict in the unconverted. Those who are in the flesh mind the things of the flesh. But Rom 7 minds the things of the Spirit, imperfect as his efforts may be.

One thing I spoke with Dr. Moore about was the definition of sin. He is concerned about our dear brethren who look at sin as merely an action. He includes those who say that sinful thoughts count as actions, even mentioning one minister as a prominent proponent.

Rather, he sees sin as a state of selfishness, when one's motives and propensities are pointed to self. He says that the problem happens before actions and even thoughts come into play.

Take a look at these quotes. The first part of Romans 7 speaks about Paul's conversion:

The apostle Paul, in relating his experience, presents an important truth concerning the work to be wrought in conversion. He says, "I was alive without the law once,"--he felt no condemnation; "but when the commandment came," when the law of God was urged upon his conscience, "sin revived, and I died." [Romans 7:9.] Then he saw himself a sinner, condemned by the divine law. Mark, it was Paul, and not the law, that died. He says, further, "I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." [Romans 7:7.] "The commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." [Romans 7:10.] The law which promised life to the obedient, pronounced death upon the transgressor. "Wherefore," he says, "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." [Romans 7:12.] {4SP 297.1}


But here EGW seems to imply that in the second part of Romans 7 Paul is still speaking about his conversion:

It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, "I consent unto the law that it is good." "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, "I am carnal, sold under sin." Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. {SC 19.1}

There is such a conflict in the person who is in the process of conversion.
Does the converted person war against the flesh? Sometimes, but not in such a dramatic way as is presented here. Otherwise the converted person knows no victory.