The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (NIV)

Have you ever felt like doing the right thing is a constant battle? Maybe you’ve struggled with thoughts, feelings, or choices that feel like they’re pulling you away from doing the right thing, when you really want to follow Jesus. That’s because our natural minds—our way of thinking apart from God—are actually hostile toward God. That sounds intense, but it helps us understand an important truth: without the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we can’t live for God. The good news? We don’t have to do it alone. Let’s look at what this means for us today.

‍

The Book of Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Christians living in Rome, primarily a non-Jewish (Gentile) audience. In this letter, Paul explains why the gospel is necessary—humanity’s need for God to rescue us from sin and death through His grace alone, not through anything we can achieve on our own. Paul outlines our spiritual condition before we follow Christ, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners in need of a Savior. The only requirement for salvation is accepting God’s free gift through faith. He then explains that believers are free from the power of sin, the law, and death and will be transformed into people who look more like Christ as we seek to follow His ways.

‍

Chapter 8 is part of the climax of Romans. Paul has established God's righteousness, humanity's sinfulness, and our need for salvation. He has also explained the believer’s freedom in Christ from the power of sin and death. He now begins to explain how the believer is empowered through the Holy Spirit to live differently. Thank God we don’t have to do this on our own!

Let’s take a deeper look at today's focal verse in context. The Amplified Bible expands on Paul’s words: "For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8, AMP, emphasis on our focal verse)

‍

Paul uses strong language here. Our fleshly minds are actively hostile toward God. Some translations describe this as “enmity against God” or being “enemies of God.” This isn’t a passive position—it’s an active status. Paul spends much of Romans explaining that apart from a heart and life renewed by the Spirit, we cannot please God. We are sinners in need of a Savior. But even after accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation, believers are still in constant need of renewal. God is actively sanctifying us, transforming us daily to be more like Christ. We are always moving in one direction or another—either toward God or away from Him, led by our actively hostile minds. Though the power of sin is broken in our lives, we must still choose each day what will lead us.

‍

When I talk to my children about Jesus, I describe liking/loving Jesus, believing in Jesus, and making Jesus Lord as sort of three different decision points, even though we may not typically see it this way. However, plenty of people like/love the idea of Jesus but don’t choose to follow Him. The Bible tells us even demons believe God is real, and shudder (James 2:19). But here’s the key: Is Jesus Lord in my life? Is Jesus truly in charge, or do I still want control? Every day, we are invited to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Rom. 12:2). So, what are our minds, will, and lives submitting to today—the ways of Jesus or our own way?

Dear Lord, thank you for the complete work of salvation Jesus accomplished on the cross. Thank you for loving us even when we were sinners and not expecting us to have it all together and cleaned up to approach you. Thank you for not leaving us as we are, but helping us to renew our minds each day by choosing more and more to do things your way. Help us today to submit our minds, wills, and feelings to you. In your name we pray, Amen.