Sometimes what we want does not line up with what is right. We all would probably agree we should do what is right. Problem is, we either feel powerless to do it or we don’t know how or maybe even it just doesn’t seem worth the effort. The Bible tells us the flesh is at the root of this problem.
So, 1) how do we know for sure what is right and 2) how do we do it? In Galatians 5:16-17 Paul says we should walk by the Spirit and if we do we won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. He tells us our flesh (think selves) and the Spirit want different things, even to the degree that they are opposed to one another. This matter is so serious that in Colossians 3:5 he writes that we should put to death our earthly nature (the flesh). In other words it no longer is in control, but rather our life is literally in the Spirit. By the same Spirit, the Spirit of God, we can know what is right and perform it. God’s Spirit gives us both knowledge and power.
Consider this triplet; with Romans 12:1-2 in mind…
Doing what is right is more important than doing what we want
We should want to do what is right
If we do what is right for long enough, eventually it will be what we want