I Do What I Do Not Wanna

 Woe to me when I do things I regret. Woe to is all, for we all have regrets. However, there is hope in our "Woe!" God forgives! 

This Thing I Do but Not Wanna Do 

 

This thing I do but do not want to do-

This thing I do not, but want to-

I do not understand this state of sin, 

But I know God can change me from within. 

He changes my want to.

He changes me through and through.

He can clean up what I do not want to do-

Like, 

I don’t want my wayward deeds to sprout like weeds.

I don’t want to take what will addict and cause conflict. 

I don’t want to get stoned with my problems just postponed. 

I don’t want to do what will cause harm or offend in the end.

I don’t want drugs to take that, my character, would re-make.

I don’t want to visit bars and drive fast cars just for temporary applause.

I don’t want my tongue to, gossip, spread or Satan’s voice get in my head. 

I don’t want to be involved in selfish plunder and be caught in my stupid blunder.

All the things I could do, but do not want to do only lead to a phony thrill.

They are against God’s nature and His will.

They lead to a temporary kick and leave me feeling unfit.

They anchor the bars of Satan’s prison cell and cast his spell. 

If I should do what I do not want to do, shame on me, for God can free.

The things I do not want to do-

Lead to embarrassment, guilt, and shame!

They smear my name. 

They leave me feeling cheap but, with God, newness I reap. 

He takes my despair and gives me the breath of clean air,

He helps me grow and my joy overflow.

He helps me do what I wanna do,

Instead of what I do not wanna. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/4/2026

 

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20 NIV