Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Just so we are clear. To be in the flesh is to serve our sinful nature. The flesh or, sinful nature is at constant war with the Spirit. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, making it hard for you and I to carry out our good intentions.
Paul opens up to us the reader about his struggles. He confesses his failed attempts at reaching righteousness by keeping the law. As he now understood that the law pointed out his sins, and no matter how well he kept the law he could never be righteous. He now understood The law was only going to show him is poor spiritual state. His eyes were now open to the truth that the only way to righteousness was through Jesus.
Last week we learned about the fruits of abiding in The Spirit. There are also fruits from abiding in the flesh. These fruits are: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, disputes, division, envy, and other sins like these. To bear these types of fruit is to bear fruit to death, not to the Kingdom of God.
Going over this list..I realized like Paul I must also confess. I have way too may fruits of the flesh on my tree. What fruits are on your tree?