Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In our study of the Books of Acts, it has become apparent that the greatest enemy of the Church was not the Gentiles but the religious leaders of the Synagogue. The Priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees had the world by the tail and Jesus messed up their whole agenda!
So, they had to do something to stop this Jesus movement. I can just imagine the conversation in the Priest’s quarters on the situation. Wow! To be a fly on the wall at that time would be something. These men started out right. Their eyes were on God and His Law. This was their entire focus BUT the enemy came in and turned what Righteousness they had into pride and greed and they became carnally minded. That means that they were focused on the things of this world and not the things of God and His Kingdom.
The Apostle Paul wrote a lot on this subject and one of his most pointed writings is found in the 8th Chapter of the Book of Romans. He started off by saying: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the Righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4) In these few statements, Paul explains that believers are no longer condemned by God IF they walk according to the Spirit of God. That means to turn away from the flesh and our own desires and devote ourselves totally to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Then Paul went on to say: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Wow! You might want to go back and read that again!
Basically, what Paul is saying here is anyone (no matter if they claim to be a Christian or not) who is being led by the flesh is an enemy of God and cannot please Him. Their end is death.
This was the condition of the Priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees in the First Century and this is the condition of most of the Church today. Very few are truly Spirit led. Most are carnal Christians and therefore are enmity against God.
My friends, I suggest that you spend some time in prayer and seek the Holy Spirit of God to take you over. Time is very short. The Lord is soon to return. No one wants to be the enemy of God. The only way is through faith in Christ and being led by the Holy Spirit of God every day, all day long.
God is about to….….turn the tide
Listening to the Spirit of God, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
