How do Christians deal with the struggle between desire and action?

In the life of a believer, there exists a profound struggle between holy desires and human inability, as exemplified in Romans 7:15-20. Paul articulates a similar conflict, indicating that what he longs to do for God is often not realized due to the sin dwelling within him. John Newton explores this dynamic, where believers, despite their spiritual aspirations to glorify God through prayer, Scripture reading, and living in accordance with His will, frequently find themselves unable to fulfill these desires. This struggle is depicted vividly in their Christian experience, where they yearn for depth and consistency in their spiritual endeavors but often feel like they only drag themselves before God.

The remedy for this tension does not lie in self-effort but in seeking God's grace continually. Newton insists that through the trials and failures that reveal these weaknesses, believers are beckoned to rely solely on the sufficiency of Christ, who addresses their shortcomings with His perfect righteousness. The battle between desire and action ultimately serves to heighten their dependence upon God, reminding them that true perseverance and transformation stem from His restorative work in their hearts, as they await the day when they will be fully conformed to Christ's likeness and no longer hindered by sin.