Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?

In review of John 8:32 it says,  “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV)

Jesus himself is the truth that sets me free. He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees me from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows me clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give me freedom to do what I want, but freedom to follow God. As I seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect truth frees me to be all that God meant for me to be.

Why do I do what I don’t want to do? Why is it so hard to do the things that I know are the right things to do?

My sinful nature often causes me to make the wrong choice. I can relate to the apostle Paul when he says, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate . . . So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t” (Romans 7:15, 17-18 NLT).

Even after becoming a follower of Jesus, there’s this tension going on inside. I have a good nature that God gave me, but I also have my old sinful nature that is pulling at me.

But there is a way out! Jesus promised in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NIV).

The secret to personal change is not willpower or something I do or say. It’s not a pill, resolution, or vow I make. The secret to personal change is something I know.

I know the truth. When I change the way I think, it changes the way I feel. And when I change the way I feel, it changes the way I act.

Behind every self-defeating act is a lie I believe. It may be a lie about myself, my past or future, God, or others.

Why do I do something that I know is bad for me? Because I think there’s some kind of payoff. That’s the lie! I can only change and fulfill God’s purpose for my life if I start with God’s truth. If I want to change the way I live, I need to start in my mind. I need to know and believe God’s truth.

When I know the truth, the truth will set me free.

In summary, Jesus tells me that I will know the truth if I follow him, and the truth will set me free. Jesus himself is that truth, the source and the perfect standard of what is right. He frees me from continued slavery to sin, self-deception, and from deception from the enemy. He clearly shows me the way to eternal life with God. Jesus does not give me freedom to do what I want, but rather freedom to follow God. As I seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect truth frees me to be all that God meant for me to be. So why do I do what I don't want to do? My sinful nature often causes me to make the wrong choice. I still have an old sinful nature that is pulling at me. There is a way out! The secret is not willpower or something I say. It's not a pill, resolution, or vow make. The secret is something I know. I know the truth. It will change the way I think, feel and act. Behind every self-defeating act is a lie I believe. I think there is a payoff and that's the lie. I can only change and fulfill God's purpose if I start with his truth. So, start in my mind. Know and believe God's truth. When I know the truth, it will set me free. 

I often get caught up in what I think is a payoff, and this in itself is the lie. I need to absorb and live out the truth Jesus gives me. Father this morning I pray for your Spirit to remind me when I start thinking about the payoff. Help me remain in your truth. I ask you today for wisdom and guidance for me day, and my activities. Help me to make any conversations I have with others be filled with grace. I pray these things in your Son Jesus' name, Amen.