THE CARNALLY MINDED CANNOT PLEASE GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE CARNALLY MINDED CANNOT PLEASE GOD!

Memory verse: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." (Romans 8 vs 7.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 5 - 8:

8:5: 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.

8:6: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8:8: So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

INTIMATION:

Humans are divided into two categories; those who are dominated by their sinful nature; those behavioral patterns of life that are considered desires of the carnal nature of man, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. 

The carnally minded focuses on his own desires. He is in the flesh. In a religious context, it is the one who focuses on his own ability to perform law in order to save himself. The carnally minded person is walking in sin, though he may not recognize the fact that he is in sin. The individual who persists on remaining “in the flesh,” or is focusing on his own meritorious performance of law, is actually working against the plan of God to have all men trust in Him for direction. Such a person is focusing on himself and not on God’s grace. This is the man who seeks to walk by sight without the faith that is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11 vs 6). 

We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucially them). These desires include obvious sins, such as sexual immorality and demonic activities. They also include less obvious sins, such as hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.  

As long as one seeks to approach God on his own terms, he will not allow God to direct his life. In the world of religions there are countless religious people who are seeking to worship God on their own terms. They are walking in the flesh because they are seeking to worship God on their own terms. They are walking in the flesh because they are seeking God either by following after the security of their own traditions or the assurance of their own subjective religiosity. Such religions are “after the flesh” because they are not based on direction  from God.

In Galatians 5 vs 19 - 21, the Bible says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the likes; of the which I tell you beforehand, just as I have also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5 vs 19 - 21.)

In the above list it was apostle Paul’s goal only to list examples of the lusts of the flesh. These are the sins of the unregenerate life, the life of living after the base nature of man. These actions, or works, are in contrast to the fruit of the Spirit, that is, the product that comes from the one who is dependent on God. The person who walks after the Spirit focuses by faith on the cross and God’s grace. He has life and peace of mind because he is trusting in the grace of God and not in his abilities in reference to law-keeping.

In Galatians 6 vs 8, the Bible says, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” It will certainly be a surprise if you planted corn and pumpkins came up. It’s a natural law to harvest what we plant. It’s true in other areas, too. If you gossip about your friends, you will lose their friendship. Every action has results. If you plant to please your own desires, you’ll harvest a crop of sorrow and evil. If you plant to please God, you will harvest joy and everlasting life. 

You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to adjust the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is eternal death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ’s currency is eternal life—new life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. 

Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation, ask yourself, What Will Jesus want me to do? When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly. How much influence do your desires have on your life? Your goal should be to let God’s desires be yours. Being controlled by own desires will stunt your growth.

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours. And by You all things consist. My total trust and confidence is in You. Give me the grace never to shift my trust and focus from You, for any reason, in any circumstances, and by anything, and endue me with the mind of Christ, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!