Romans 7 — Leonard Ravenhill

Spiritual Infancy and the Hope of Growth

This is the most devastating thing of all, I think, on this level of spiritual infancy. Well, that's what some of us try to do. You know, I don't think I'll be as carnal next year as I've been this year.

I don't think I'll be as, you know, as touchy. I think I'll grow up next year. I don't think my temper will be as bad. I don't think I'll be as critical. I don't think I'll be as unkind. I don't think I'll be, you know, so feeble in my prayer life.

Romans 7 and the Self-Centered Life

I don't think I'll be so self-centered. Again, read Romans 7. It's self-centered. Nineteen times, I, I, I. Go through the same chapter and count how many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned. He's not mentioned once.

Romans 8 and the Spirit-Dominated Life

Why? Because it's a self-centered life. And you go into Romans chapter 8, the victorious life. Romans 7 is a funeral march. Romans 8 is a wedding march. Romans 8, 7 is bondage. Romans 8, Paul's singing out to my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus, I come.

Romans then, 7, 31 times, I, I, I. Romans 8, I only twice. When he says, I reckon and I am persuaded. But 19 times the Holy Spirit is mentioned because it's a spirit-dominated life in chapter 8.