In Romans 7 the Apostle Paul writes of the frustration he had as a Christian. He found that this frustration was due to the ongoing conflict between the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” and its righteous nature within the believer’s spirit (cf. Romans 6-8), and the still ever-present “Sin (nature) in the flesh” (Rom 8:3b), which seems to overwhelm the believer’s good and righteous intentions.

If we go to the Scriptures and claim, by faith, the Spirit’s help in overcoming our sins, we enter into the enjoyment of the fullness of spiritual life and blessing. If we fail to do so, we wither and die — that is… as far as our spiritual experience is concerned.

Perhaps you know that sometimes rattlesnakes that are thought to be dead can still strike, bite, and kill you. Doctors in the southwest USA have a large number of patients admitted to hospitals each year suffering from bites from rattlers… thought to be dead. Sometimes the snakes were shot and their heads cutoff; but, the snake head retains a reflex action. In fact, one study showed that snake heads could still make striking-type motions up to sixty minutes after decapitation.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Here below Paul recounts the realization that came to him after he was converted and had received Christ, as he tried so hard to live righteously according to "the Law." This frustrating experience served to enlighten Paul and heighten his knowledge of the truth concerning dilemma of all humanity and Christians in particular.