Bible Reading: Psalm 68,69; Romans 8:1-20
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” Romans 8:8 (KJV)
Pleasing God should be our ultimate aim in life if we are to live successfully on earth. The greatest man who ever lived, Jesus, says in John 8:29 (KJV) says, “He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” This was possible because Jesus walked in the Spirit all through His stay on the earth. So it is either you are in the flesh or in the Spirit.
To walk in the flesh means the nature of living, thinking and acting that are totally against the ways of God. it is a lifestyle that gives Satan an advantage over the life of an individual. If an individual’s thought life is mostly influence by the flesh, he will easily be ruled over by the devil. And the bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7a. Once a mans thoughts are defiled, his acts will not produce anything better.
Thank God for Jesus who came and put an end to sin in the flesh. Romans 6:6 (KJV) tells us, “Knowing this. That our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Moreso, his death and resurrection has empowered those who beliéved in Him to make the choice of who they want to serve and who to yield to. We are to yield ourselves unto God for sin no longer has dominion on any one in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:13-14).
To please God, one must learn and endeavour to walk in the Spirit. Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV) says, “if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” And one way of achieving this is to “let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom…. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV).
It is up to you now to live above the flesh by walking in the Spirit, for it is only the Spirit that can mortify the deeds of the flesh and help direct our affection toward God and sustain same. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ you must do so now or else Satan will continue to have an inroad in your life through the flesh or your old man.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for Your Spirit which mortifies the deeds of our flesh. Father, grace to always be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit so that I can please You all through my days on earth.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu