Key Passage: Romans 8 (NKJV)
A. The Contrast Between Spirit and Flesh (Romans 8)
| Verse | Walking in the Spirit | Walking in the Flesh |
|---|---|---|
| v1 | No Condemnation – “in Christ… walk according to the Spirit” | Condemnation – walk according to the flesh |
| v2 | Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus | Law of Sin and Death |
| v4 | Righteousness fulfilled – walk in Spirit | Righteousness not fulfilled – walk in flesh |
| v5 | Mind on things of the Spirit | Mind on things of the flesh |
| v6 | Spirit → Life and Peace | Flesh → Death |
| v7 | – | Carnal mind = Enmity against God |
| v8 | – | In the flesh → Cannot please God |
| v9 | Spirit dwells in you → you are His | Without Spirit → Not His |
| v13 | Put to death deeds of body → Live | Live by flesh → Die |
| v14 | Led by Spirit → Sons of God | – |
Romans 8:1
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.
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:4
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 8:5
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.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Romans 8:8
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
B. Examples of Life in the Flesh
Old Testament Examples
1. Saul – Partial Obedience (Flesh)
1 Samuel 15:22–23
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”
- Saul feared the people more than obeying God.
- He spared King Agag and the best livestock, though God had commanded full destruction.
2. Jonah – Rebellion to God’s Call
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord…
- Jonah let anger and nationalism overrule God’s compassion.
New Testament Examples
1. Peter – Carnal Reaction to God’s Plan
Matthew 16:21–23
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me,
for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
- Peter rejected the cross emotionally and carnally.
2. Peter’s Warning (Spirit vs Self-Preservation)
Matthew 10:39
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
3. James and John – Vengeance over Mercy
Luke 9:54–56
“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
- They reacted in anger (flesh), not love (Spirit).
C. Walking in the Spirit – Our Call Today
Galatians 5:16–26 – War Between Flesh and Spirit
Galatians 5:16–17
Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh…
Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19–21):
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries…
Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23):
Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Matthew 5:39–41 – Spirit-Filled Response to Offense
“But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also…
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
- This kind of response comes only by the Spirit, not the flesh.
D. Summary Table
| By the Spirit | By the Flesh |
|---|---|
| No Condemnation (Rom 8:1) | Condemnation |
| Law of Life (Rom 8:2) | Law of Sin and Death |
| Fulfill Righteousness (Rom 8:4) | Fall Short |
| Mind of the Spirit = Life & Peace (Rom 8:6) | Carnal Mind = Death & Hostility (Rom 8:7) |
| Please God (Rom 8:8) | Cannot Please God (Rom 8:8) |
| Belong to Christ (Rom 8:9) | Without Spirit = Not His |
| Put to Death Flesh → Live (Rom 8:13) | Live by Flesh → Die |
| Led by Spirit = Sons of God (Rom 8:14) | Self-led = Immaturity / Rebellion |
| Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) | Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19–21) |