There are moments when the clear teachings of the scriptures become so abundantly rich and direct from the heart of God, that you cannot help but be almost overwhelmed by them. It is part of the Holy Spirits responsibilities to help us, as believers to know and understand the Word of God more clearly.

Romans 8:1-14 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

In highlighting verses five and six, we see that the clear teaching from scripture is that we must mind the things of the spirit and stop living in the flesh. The flesh is a powerful force in life we are in a constant state of fleshly decay, and it is hard to see the work of the Spirit because the war with the flesh is in your face constantly. The flesh is constantly either hurting because it is dying or heralding some new desire for you to consume. What chance do any of us have in this constant fight with our flesh. That is where verses eleven through thirteen come to bear out.

Romans 8:11-13 (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

It is the “mortifying” the deeds of the body through the Spirit of God that gives us the opportunity to live and be the sons of God. It is here that the will of man must succumb to the will of God through the Spirit’s power. We must be a willing vessel to let God accomplish in us, His purposes and He is faithful to do it. We can proclaim with the Apostle Paul; Stay positive!

Phillipians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: