Introduction
Today, on the fourth day of our two-week series on “What Must I Do to Please God?”, we focus on a key teaching from Romans 8:8. In this short yet powerful verse, Paul highlights a crucial truth: “those who live according to the flesh cannot please God”. This simple statement carries a deep message about how we are to conduct our lives as believers. To live in the flesh means to live according to our sinful desires, catering to selfish impulses rather than walking in alignment with God’s will. On the other hand, living by the Spirit is essential to pleasing God.
Romans 8:8 provides a direct warning and a clear challenge to Christians. Pleasing God requires more than just outward actions; it demands a heart that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit. When we live by the flesh, we are at odds with God’s purpose for our lives. But when we walk in the Spirit, we can fulfill the calling God has for us and live a life that pleases Him.
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
Romans 8:8 (AMP): "And those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God."
Context of Romans 8:8
Paul's letter to the Romans is rich with theological depth, and chapter 8 is especially significant. In this chapter, Paul contrasts two ways of living: according to the flesh and according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh are driven by selfish desires, sinful appetites, and worldly ambitions. Their lives are not aligned with God's will, and as a result, they cannot please Him. Living in the flesh puts us at odds with God’s Spirit, which is meant to guide us into a life of righteousness and peace.
Romans 8:8 serves as both a warning and a directive. The warning is clear: if we live to satisfy our sinful nature, we are not walking in a way that pleases God. The directive is implicit: we must walk according to the Spirit, which empowers us to live a life that aligns with God's purpose. Living by the Spirit allows us to please God because it reflects a life of surrender, obedience, and trust in His guidance.
Living by the Spirit to Please God
Key Phrase: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
To live by the flesh is to live in a way that prioritizes our own desires over God’s will. It means catering to impulses, indulging in sin, and allowing selfishness to dictate our actions. This way of living is incompatible with pleasing God. The flesh is in direct opposition to the Spirit, and when we live in the flesh, we cannot experience the fullness of God's purpose for our lives.
Living by the Spirit, however, means surrendering those sinful desires and letting the Holy Spirit lead us. It’s about walking in obedience to God, allowing Him to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The Spirit leads us into truth, empowers us to overcome sin, and enables us to live in a way that reflects Christ's character. Only by walking in the Spirit can we truly live a life that pleases God.
Galatians 5:16 (AMP): "But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]."
This verse from Galatians reinforces the idea that living by the Spirit protects us from the desires of the flesh. When we walk in the Spirit, we are empowered to resist the temptations that pull us away from God.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For modern Christians, the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a daily reality. We are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage self-indulgence, selfishness, and living according to our desires. Yet, to please God, we must reject these worldly influences and choose to live by the Spirit. This means making intentional decisions to honor God with our thoughts, words, and actions.
Living by the Spirit is not about striving in our own strength. It’s about relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us, transform us, and help us walk in obedience to God. This is what it means to live a life that pleases Him. When we surrender to the Spirit, we are freed from the bondage of the flesh, and we can experience the peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from walking in step with God's will.
The Whole of What It Means to Please God
While today's focus is on the importance of living by the Spirit, we must remember that pleasing God encompasses various aspects of our lives. In previous days, we discussed making a choice to serve God, speaking the Gospel, and walking in Christ. These elements are interconnected and together form the picture of what it means to live a life that pleases God.
To live by the Spirit is to align our entire being—heart, mind, and actions—with God's desires. It is about rejecting the flesh and embracing the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every area of life. Each aspect of pleasing God—whether it is sharing His Word, loving others, or living in obedience—flows from a life that is led by the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 (AMP): "For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]."
Romans 8:5 emphasizes the importance of setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, not the flesh. This shift in focus is key to living a life that pleases God.
Summary
On this fourth day of our series, we explored the importance of living by the Spirit as a critical component of pleasing God. Romans 8:8 warns that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God. The flesh represents our sinful desires and selfish impulses, which are in direct opposition to God’s will. To please God, we must walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide our lives and transform us from within.
Living by the Spirit is not an isolated command but part of the greater picture of what it means to please God. Each aspect of the Christian life—choosing to serve God, speaking the Gospel, walking in Christ, and loving others—is empowered by the Holy Spirit. By living according to the Spirit, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and walk in a way that honors and pleases God.
As we move forward in this series, let today’s focus on living by the Spirit encourage you to surrender fully to God's will. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your steps, empower you to resist temptation, and lead you into a life that pleases God.
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