Romans 8:26a English Standard Version (ESV) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

I have a weakness for coffee ice cream. I am a controlled diabetic. This is not the weakness Paul is addressing in Romans 8:26. What I call weakness is the strength to resist temptation. 

I do not give in to that temptation all the time. What I do is wait until I have my lab results after six months and if my A1C is 6.0 t0 6.3 I celebrate by getting some coffee ice cream and cheat on my diet.

Am I sinning?

In the perfect definition of sinning, yes because I know what I should do and I justify my actions to do that which is not good for me. It is cheating and cheating is not a spiritually sound word.

When we justify our actions to choose to do what is wrong, it is a bad habit that might leak over into another aspect of our lives that will be more harmful in our relationships that should take priority.

Our Lord has told us to love one another. What rationalizations have we used to disobey Him?

I had siblings that said they were spiritual but they did not love me. The fact that they did not love me justify my withholding love from them?

That is an extreme example of a spiritual truth. We should not stop loving others just because they have done nothing to deserve it. If Jesus had felt that way we would all be lost and suffering in sin because He would not have gone to the cross for us. But He did and we should remember that when others are acting unworthy.

Romans 8:26b English Standard Version (ESV) For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

So we do not pray for them as we ought, but thanks be to God that His Spirit is stronger than our weakness and will do the right thing.

Knowing that the Spirit will pray when we will not is not justification to withhold prayer.

We are still commanded to love and prayer is an act of love.

There is a prayer of David that means “have your way with me Lord.” Pray it.

Proverbs 18:1-4 English Standard Version 

1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Not everyone who is isolated has chosen to do so. Sometimes circumstances and responsibilities place them in that position.

When we take pleasure in understanding, that does not disqualify us from being foolish.

It is my opinion that we break out against sound judgment when we hold our opinion above the Word of God. 

That is my opinion. Just one of many. Those that I choose to share must have some benefit or they must be kept to themselves.

Does the bible answer every question? No. That is not the purpose of the bible. God’s Word is about knowing Him, His promises, His plans, and does not address every thought that comes to the mind of the curious.

Who can we trust with our curious thoughts?

It is my opinion that we need to develop close personal relationships with men and women who have first proven they care about our best interest and are sound in their understanding of God’s Word.

If God’s Word does not answer a question perhaps that is an opportunity to step back and look within ourselves in the arena of mental discipline.

2 Corinthians 10:5 English Standard Version (ESV) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

The “we” in this verse are not the ones with lofty opinions.