WAS PAUL A HABITUAL SINNER?

Romans 7:14-20. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (KJV) 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KVJ)

The critics are clearly misunderstanding the point of the Romans passage.  Paul is speaking rhetorically about the fleshly part of ourselves, that which desires to sin and reject God.  He is essentially speaking from the point of view of the man he was before he found Jesus and became born again.  Keep reading up to verses 24 and 25 which says, "O 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," thus ending this passage with the experience of such a man coming to Jesus and beginning to serve God.  Not a contradiction.