This is perhaps the most famous and oft quoted line from the writings of William Shakespeare. It is found in Act 3, Scene 1 in Hamlet. The words express the anguish of one who has a very critical decision to make. He is overwhelmed and distraught. In essence what Hamlet is asking is: do I fight or do I give up.
The Bible speaks of another man, the apostle Paul, who faced a struggle that seemed to be overwhelming. These, however, were spiritual problems, not political and to give up was not an option. Romans chapters 7 is reflective of the struggle he faced, and which every believer faces: “I do what is wrong when I want to do what is right.” Every Christian is tempted in this way, and when the Bible says all have sinned, it means exactly that.
Society says there are at least three categories of people: the good, the bad, and the indifferent. God says there are only two: the lost and the redeemed. Both groups however face the same question that both Hamlet and the Apostle had to answer do I stand and fight or run and hide.
This conflict is summarized in Romans 7: 19: ” For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” This of course is the principle of free choice. An example of this dilemma is found in the in the book of Genesis. When the Serpent approached Eve, he gave her the opportunity to disobey God. She had a choice, do what is right or do what is wrong. We all know the choice she made.
Do you recognize what Paul is facing? He recognizes that too often he chooses to do what is not right, and he does not like it. In desperation he asks the question that every believer has asked at one time or another and immediately he gives the answer.
“Oh, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24,25)
If we struggle with sin in our own strength, we will have a problem, and that problem is spiritual defeat. However, when we do sin, we should immediately claim the promise of first John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Also, ” He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
Do not let Satan deceive you. It is not a question of “to be or not to be,” but it is a decision to “confess and go on.” And when you do this your Heavenly Father wipes the slate clean, and you have a new beginning. Our God is an awesome God!