Podcast Summary: "Why Do We Sin?"

Renewing Your Mind — November 2, 2025
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul
Main Theme:
A deep exploration into why Christians continue to struggle with sin, examining the biblical, theological, and practical aspects of the human will’s limitations and the ongoing conflict within believers, based on Romans 7.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into Romans 7's teaching about the believer’s inner conflict: the desire to do good versus the propensity to sin. Dr. R.C. Sproul unpacks the nature of human will from a biblical and historical-theological standpoint, contrasts it with secular concepts of “free will,” and offers practical guidance on spiritual growth and sanctification.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Inner War: New Man vs. Old Man

• Romans 7 as Foundation:
  Dr. Sproul reads and expounds upon Romans 7:14-25, where Paul describes a war between the Spirit-led “new man” and the sinful “old man.”

  “The new man in your heart has this desire now to please God. But there still lives in your members the vestigial remnants of the old man of the flesh who has declared war on the leanings of the Spirit.” (00:00)

• Universal Christian Struggle:
  The struggle to do right and failure to avoid sin is an ongoing reality for every believer—even Paul.

  “Not doing the good that you know you ought to do and instead doing the evil that you know you ought not to do is an affliction shared by all Christians this side of glory, including the Apostle Paul.” (00:29, Nathan W. Bingham)

What is "Free Will"? Pagan vs. Biblical Views

• Secular Misconceptions:
  A widespread “pagan, humanistic, secular” view of free will is that humans are always free to choose without any bias or inclination—what Sproul labels “the will of indifference.”

  “So deeply entrenched is this pagan notion of the will that … people immediately protest ... that this violates the free will of man.” (03:00) “To be truly free … that freedom must be absolute … with no preconceived bias, no previous inclination, no prior disposition.” (05:11)

• Biblical Reality:
  The Bible affirms humans as “volitional creatures”—capable of making real choices—but these choices are not made from an entirely neutral position.

  “We agree … that we as human beings are volitional creatures… But that ability to choose what we want is not only mildly influenced, but is radically conditioned by the human corruption of our hearts.” (06:42) Sproul references John Calvin’s distinction:

  • Yes, humans have free will to choose according to their desires.
  • No, this does not mean the will is unaffected by sin’s corruption.

  “We make evil choices not from indifference, but from a prior disposition and inclination to wickedness.” (07:18)

The Source of Good and Evil Choices

• Pre-Regeneration:
  Before salvation, humanity’s desires are continuously bent toward evil.

  “The desires of our hearts … are only wicked continuously.” (07:30)

• Post-Regeneration Conflict:
  Even after conversion, remnants of sin (“the old man”) battle the renewed spiritual desires, leading to real, ongoing temptation and failure.

  “There still lives in your members the vestigial remnants of the old man … and there are many times that when the conflict comes, you'd rather follow the old man than the new man.” (09:23)

Spiritual Discipline and the Means of Grace

• Practical Application:
  Christians are encouraged to place themselves in disciplined contexts (like regular church attendance or spiritual accountability) to “put to death” sinful habits and “feed the new man.”

  “Get in a class where the discipline of the group … strengthens your resolve to grow in your understanding of the things of God.” (11:27)
  “You establish a principle in your family … we are in the Lord’s house every Sabbath day.” (12:04)

• Role of Community:
  Using the illustration of Weight Watchers, Dr. Sproul emphasizes the need for accountability in spiritual growth, much as group dynamics help people succeed in difficult tasks.

  “The group dynamic … is a beautiful idea, really. That's why so many people have been helped by that. Because if left to yourself, the self-discipline tends to lose its passion and its zeal.” (13:45)

• Means of Grace:
  Worship, prayer, and reading Scripture are the “means of grace” by which God strengthens the believer’s resolve and sanctifies their desires.

  “To make diligent use of the means of grace is really to program yourself with worship, with prayer, with Scripture, so that your desires are actually sanctified.” (15:23)

• The Importance of Justification by Faith:
  The doctrine of justification by faith sustains the believer despite continued struggles with sin.

  “Without the righteousness of Christ, I have no hope whatsoever.” (17:28)

Ability: Natural vs. Moral

• Sproul Explains Ability:
  Borrowing from Jonathan Edwards and Augustine, Sproul defines the crucial difference:

  • Natural Ability: Humans have the faculties to obey God (mind, will).
  • Moral Ability: After the Fall, humanity lost the love for God; thus, though able in faculties, people are unwilling in heart.

  “A bird has the natural ability to fly … you don't have the natural ability to fly.” (18:58) “We do have the natural ability to obey God … What we had before the Fall was the moral ability… After the fall, it’s the moral ability that's lost.” (21:10)

• Why Some Say Yes to Christ:
  No one is capable of choosing Christ unless God changes their disposition—"regeneration" by the Holy Spirit.

  “No man can come to me unless it's given to him by the Father.” (21:55) “If you've come to Christ ... it's because God reached down and with his grace changed your desire, changed your heart from a heart of stone to a heart that began to pulsate and beat with affection for him and set you free.” (23:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We make evil choices not from indifference, but from a prior disposition and inclination to wickedness.”
  (Dr. R.C. Sproul, 07:18)

• “There still lives in your members the vestigial remnants of the old man … and there are many times that when the conflict comes, you'd rather follow the old man than the new man.”
  (Dr. R.C. Sproul, 09:23)

• “You will always choose what you are most inclined to choose at the moment of decision.”
  (Dr. R.C. Sproul, 14:17)

• “If you knew how much God hated your sin and you had any affection for him at all, you would never want to displease him to that degree.”
  (Dr. R.C. Sproul, 15:48)

• “The only way you were ever disposed to come to him was because of supernature, because God reached down and with his grace changed your desire, changed your heart from a heart of stone to a heart that began to pulsate and beat with affection for him and set you free.”
  (Dr. R.C. Sproul, 23:31)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00-00:29 — Opening discussion on the new and old man; introduction of the main conflict
• 01:24-08:00 — Exegesis of Romans 7; foundation for discussing will and sin
• 05:11-07:30 — Contrasting secular and biblical views of free will
• 10:43-14:17 — Spiritual discipline, family examples, practical strategies for growth
• 15:23-17:45 — The means of grace and justification by faith
• 18:58-23:31 — Distinction between natural and moral ability; how God enables belief

Takeaways

• Christians sin because, although made new in Christ, they retain a sinful "old man" within that is still at war with their spiritual nature.
• Human “free will” is not neutral or absolutely free; choices come from heart inclinations, which apart from God are corrupted.
• Real spiritual progress comes through the “means of grace”—intentional participation in worship, Scripture, prayer, and Christian community.
• No one comes to Christ unless God first changes their hearts.
• The continuing presence of sin underscores the necessity of Christ’s righteousness and reformative grace.

This episode offers profound theological clarity on the nature of will, grace, and sanctification, equipping listeners to understand their daily battles with sin and the means God provides for victory.