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Romans 8:12-14 - Living by the Spirit Defeats the Sinful Nature!

Romans 8:12-14 (TNIV) So then, my friends, 
we have an obligation, but it is not to live as 
our human nature wants us to. 13 For if you live 
according to your human nature, you are going to die; 
but if by the Spirit you put to death your 
sinful actions, you will live. 14 Those who are led 
by Gods Spirit are Gods children. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Self vs. Spirit
   An article written for the American 
Psychological Association looking at several studies on 
narcissism in young people posited that America has 
been gradually producing an increasingly 
self-obsessed population. 
   Indeed, 2 Timothy predicted "that in the 
last days ... men will be lovers of themselves" 
(3:1, 2) before going on to list several unseemly 
traits that include a lack of self-control, pride, 
and hedonism (vv. 2-4). Galatians recorded a 
similar list under the category "the works of the 
flesh" (5:19). Both passages describe the results 
of selfishness, which typically goes by another 
name in the Bible: sin. 
   This fleshly life is again referred to in 
today's verses, where the apostle Paul further 
explained that living "according to the flesh" is the 
opposite of living according to the Spirit. A life 
led by the Holy Spirit is one that produces 
"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, 
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (vv. 
22, 23). 
   There are two promises for us today: We 
are promised that a life feeding the carnal 
flesh ultimately ends in eternal death, for "the 
soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). We are 
also promised that a life submitting to the 
guidance of the Holy Spirit not only yields abundant 
contentment on this planet but also wins us eternal 
life, for "it is the Spirit who gives life; the 
flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). 
   There is no reason to adhere "to the 
flesh." We owe our flesh nothing; we owe Christ, who 
paid our debt on the cross, everything. This 
indebtedness culminates in the undeserved victory of 
salvation. 
   Righteous Lord, thank You that living "by 
the Spirit" guarantees me Your hard-won victory 
of eternal life. [The Most Amazing Bible 
Promises by Amazing Facts] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Let the Spirit direct your lives, and you 
will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 
Galatians 5:16 (TNIV) 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Romans 8:12-14 - Living in Christ Defeats 
the Sinful Nature! 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100723-1315.html 

Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit.

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221002-0835.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/