(Rom) 8:6-8, 13-14, 29 CJB “Having one’s mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one’s mind controlled by the Spirit is life and shalom. For the mind controlled by the old nature is hostile to God, because it does not submit itself to God’s Torah — indeed, it cannot. Thus, those who identify with their old nature cannot please God. For if you live according to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if, by the Spirit, you keep putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. because those whom he knew in advance, he also determined in advance would be conformed to the pattern of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers;”

Many men claim to follow Jesus, but living by the Spirit of God is what distinguishes a true disciple from a merely religious man.

Paul tells us in Romans 8 that there are only two ways to live. We can live according to our sinful nature, or we can live according to the Spirit. One path leads to death. The other leads to life and peace.

This is the great transformation of the Christian life.

Jesus did not die merely to forgive our sins. He died and rose again so that we could be changed.

Through His death, our sins are paid for.

Through His resurrection, the Holy Spirit is given to empower us to live the life God intended for us from the beginning.

Living by the Spirit of God Means Living Like Jesus

God’s goal for every Christian is clearly stated in Romans 8:29: “Those whom he knew in advance, he also determined in advance would be conformed to the pattern of his Son.”

God is not primarily trying to make us successful.

He is not primarily trying to make us comfortable.

He is conforming us to Jesus Christ.

The Son of God lived in perfect submission to the Father.

He always obeyed.

He always pleased God.

He always did the Father’s will.

The Christian life is learning to follow that same pattern through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we read God’s Word, we learn God’s ways.

As we submit to God’s Word, the Spirit empowers our obedience.

As we obey, we increasingly reflect the character of Jesus.

This is what spiritual maturity looks like.

The Spirit of God Never Contradicts the Word of God

Many people today claim to be spiritual while rejecting clear biblical teaching.

That is not the Spirit of God.

The Spirit inspired the Word of God.

The Spirit illuminates the Word of God.

The Spirit empowers obedience to the Word of God.

He never leads people away from what God has already spoken.

A growing Christian does not reshape Scripture to fit culture.

He allows Scripture to reshape his life.

This is why followers of Jesus must reject every form of sin the Bible condemns while embracing every command God gives.

The goal is not self-expression.

The goal is God-pleasing obedience.

The Christian Life Is a Daily Battle

Paul says we must continually put to death the sinful practices of the body.

That means rejecting selfishness.

Rejecting pride.

Rejecting lust.

Rejecting rebellion.

Every day we choose whether we will submit to our sinful desires or surrender to the Spirit of God.

The flesh says, “Do what feels right.”

The Spirit says, “Do what pleases God.”

The flesh seeks self-rule.

The Spirit produces Christlike obedience.

This battle continues until we see Jesus face to face.

But the good news is that God has not left us to fight alone.

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives within every believer.

Therefore, we can walk in victory.

We can grow in holiness.

We can increasingly become the men God created us to be.

That is the purpose of living by the Spirit of God.

It is knowing God’s Word, rejecting the desires of the flesh, following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and becoming more like Jesus for the glory of God.

Run Today’s Play

• Read Romans 8:6-14 and identify one area where your flesh is resisting God’s will.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you obey one specific command of Scripture today.
• Choose obedience over comfort, trusting God to form Christ in you through that decision.

Men, God did not save you merely to get you into heaven. He saved you to make you like His Son. Yield to the Spirit, obey the Word, and become the man God created you to be.