How can believers ensure they "please God" according to Romans 8:8? What Romans 8:8 Tells Us • “Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.” • God states it plainly—if my life is directed by the flesh (my fallen, sin-nature impulses), pleasing Him is impossible. Seeing ‘the Flesh’ for What It Is • The flesh is not merely the physical body; it is the old, self-centered nature inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12). • It operates through cravings, pride, and independence from God (1 John 2:16). • Left unchecked, it produces “the works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21), all of which offend God. The Only Alternative: Life in the Spirit • Romans 8:9—“You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” • New birth (John 3:3-6) places the believer “in Christ,” transferring us from the realm of the flesh to that of the Spirit. • Pleasing God, then, flows from Spirit-empowered living, not self-improvement projects. Core Commitments That Keep Us in Step with the Spirit 1. Continuous dependence on Christ • John 15:5—“apart from Me you can do nothing.” • Hebrews 11:6—faith is indispensable; it anchors every act that pleases God. 2. Daily surrender of our bodies and minds • Romans 12:1-2—present your bodies as a living sacrifice; let God renew your mind. 3. Ongoing mortification of sinful desires • Romans 8:13—“if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” 4. Active obedience to Scripture • John 14:21—love for Christ shows itself in obedience, which He rewards with deeper fellowship. 5. Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit • Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, and the rest are visible evidence that we are walking in a way that delights God. 6. Fellowship and accountability • Hebrews 10:24-25—believers spur one another on to love and good deeds, keeping one another from drifting back into fleshly patterns. Everyday Practices that Foster Spirit-Led Living • Begin each morning inviting the Spirit to rule your thoughts, words, and actions. • Filter decisions through Scripture before feelings. • Confess and forsake sin immediately (1 John 1:9) instead of excusing it. • Memorize key verses that confront recurring fleshly tendencies. • Serve others intentionally; self-giving love starves selfish desires (Philippians 2:3-4). • Keep short accounts—reconcile quickly, forgive freely (Ephesians 4:31-32). • End each day with thanksgiving, acknowledging where God’s Spirit enabled victory. The Outcome God Desires • Colossians 1:10—“walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” • When the Spirit guides and empowers, our lives move from impossible (flesh) to pleasing (Spirit), bringing joy to the Father and assurance to our hearts. |
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