I would imagine any of us could have written verse 15: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” This reminds me that, important as Paul was to the spread of the gospel and to the formation of the Christian doctrine of faith, he was still like us in many ways. He, too, struggled to do what was right. He, too, faced temptations and sometimes failed to stand strong.
He understood, though, that there was no blaming anyone or anything but his own brokenness that led him to sin. He also understood that when he did the right thing, when he chose good over evil, that was the work of God.
What are the things you do that you do not want to do? What practices help you to resist the temptation to do the wrong thing? To what or to whom do you attribute any good you have done or any right choices you have made?
In prayer, ask God for forgiveness for those times when you have done wrong and for the strength to make the better choice.