Living in the Spirit, not the flesh
The following study is written for those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ, those who have put on Christ and those who have the Spirit of Almighty God dwelling within their fleshly tabernacle.
It is an attempt to better understand what it means to live in the Spirit, while we live on this earth still in this flesh.
The holy scriptures in the book of Romans you will study, clearly show that while we live in flesh, we should not be subject to the will of the flesh, rather we should live to that of the Spirit.
Read what apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome.
We begin with Romans 5:1
Romans 5:1-21 [KJV]
[1] ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. [6] ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. [12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: [13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. [16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. [17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. [19] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul teaches us that God shows His love toward us, and that even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Paul speaks to those in Church, Baptized believers, being now justified by His blood, the blood of Jesus, that we shall be saved through Jesus Christ, from the wrath of God.
Paul states we have received the atonement (for sin), and then explains that as by one man (Adam), sin entered into the world, and death results from sin, so death passed onto all men, for all men are born into sin.
So sin has passed over all mankind.
Paul then teaches that sin was imputed by God by the law of God, and that the offense against that law results in sin. Likewise, where there is no law, there would be no sin.
Paul then teaches Adam was an example of one man causing sin to pass over many, whereas Christ is one man causing righteousness and grace to abounded to many.
Just as the judgment of one to condemnation on many, now is the gift of righteousness to the justification of many.
By one man’s sin abounded on many bringing on man death, and God’s Judgment, now that through one man, Jesus Christ, brought righteousness and grace, the free gift which will abound on all men.
Whereas one man’s disobedience to God men were made sinners, one man’s obedience to God men shall be made righteous.
Just as sin reigned to cause death, grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul then asks an important question now we are Justified in Christ through grace, shall we continue to live in sin?
Romans 6:1-7 [KJV]
[6:1] ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] 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. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Paul teaches the Church, body of baptized believers, that as many have been baptized into Christ were also baptized into His death. Therefore we are buried with Christ in our baptism into Jesus' death, and just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we all are raised from death into life to therefore walk in the newness of life.
Paul teaches that through baptism, we have been planted together (with Christ) in likeness of His death, we shall also be in likeness of His resurrection.
Therefore our old man (sinful life) was crucified with Jesus, that the body of sin might be destroyed, thus we should live no more to serve sin, for he who has died is free from sin.
Paul continues to teach if we be dead with Christ, we believe we shall live with Christ.
Romans 6:8-14 [KJV]
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Just as Christ died to put away sin once, and a lives resurrected alive to God, we should be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. If we be dead to sin, then let not sin reign in your mortal body.
Paul says yield not your members (of your body) as an instrument of unrighteousness and sin, but yield yourselves to God and your body as an instrument for righteousness for God and His glory.
Paul then states that sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law of God, and the law's curses and wrath, but you are saved under grace.
Paul then asks another question seeing we all sanctified under God’s grace.
Romans 6:15-23 [KJV]
[15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. [20] For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. [21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul teaches to that which one yields he is servant to obey, whether servant to sin which leads to death, or servant of righteousness which leads to Life.
We all were once servants of sin first, and we obeyed that doctrine being ignorant of God’s righteousness.
Now in Christ, we are servants of righteousness, having been made free from sin. Being freed from sin we become servants to God to have fruit of holiness and everlasting Life.
Paul teaches that wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7:1-6 [KJV]
[7:1] ¶ Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. [5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. [6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Paul uses the example of the law having dominion over the man as long as he lives. The law of God states that if a woman is married to a man, she is bound by the law as long as he lives.
If he should die, then the woman is freed from the marriage law.
If while her husband lives, and she be married to another, that woman becomes guilty of adultery, yet if her husband dies, she is free from the judgment of adultery.
Paul uses this example to show that we who die into Christ are dead to the law, by the body of Christ, that we should be married to another, even to Him (Christ) who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
When we were living in the flesh, living in sin, we were under the law, which brought condemnation to death, but now we are delivered from the wrath of the law therefore we serve in the newness of the Spirit (grace), not oldness of the letter (the law).
Paul then asks another question, Does that mean the law is sin?
Romans 7:7-12 [KJV]
[7] ¶ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [8] But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. [9] For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. [10] And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. [11] For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. [12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Paul is teaching that the Law is not sinful; by the law sin exists as result of transgression of the law. The law is good and Holy, as are commandments just and good.
As long as the law exists so does the law of sin.
Paul then asks another question.
Romans 7:13-25 [KJV]
[13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. [14] ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Paul teaches us something important to understand, though we are baptized and cleansed of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, we still live in flesh as long as we live on the earth.
As Paul taught, we should live in newness of the Spirit of God, not in oldness of sin, yet in our bodies we have mind with a will to do evil or sin or gravitate toward the world around us which lives under sin, by which we struggle daily by fighting in the Spirit seeking to obey the law of God written in our hearts, denying the flesh.
As Paul states:
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
This is a very candid admissions by Paul who states, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” and “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Paul makes it clear that that while we serve God, we still struggle with temptations of life which can be overcome by relying on the Spirit living in the Spirit, denying our flesh and lust of the flesh.
Paul continues to say there is no condemnation to those which are in (baptized into) Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Roman 8:1-4 [KJV]
[8:1] ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2 ] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The law of Spirit of life in Christ has made us free for the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:5-11 [KJV]
[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [10] ¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Those who live after the flesh, mind the things of the flesh. Those under the Spirit, mind the things of the Spirit.
Paul teaches that to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
The carnal mind is opposed to God and his Law, thus those living in the flesh cannot please God.
But you (the body of the Church) who have been baptized into Christ, are not living in flesh, but in the Spirit.
Paul qualifies saying, “if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Paul continues:
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:12-17 [KJV]
[12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Therefore we are not to serve sin living in the flesh, but we serve God living in Spirit. For as many are led by the Spirit; these are sons of God. For we have not received spirit of bondage (sin) to fear (wrath of God), but the Spirit of adoption (by God) whereby we can cry Father, for He is our heavenly everlasting Father.
Paul then speaks of present time, as we live still in world and the trials we undergo are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us when we appear before God.
Romans 8:18-23 [KJV]
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Paul states that we wait for our redemption when we shall be changed from the bondage of corruption into the glory of God as the sons of God.
This is our Hope in God.
Romans 8:24-25 [KJV]
[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Paul teaches that the Spirit help us with our infirmities, and knows what our needs are.
Romans 8:26-27 [KJV]
[26] ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Paul teaches us that all things work together for good to them that love God to those called to His purpose.
Romans 8:28-30 [KJV]
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Paul states a most amazing revelation, “For whom He (God) did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son (Christ), that He (Christ) might be the firstborn among many brethren (the Church).
Moreover whom He did predestinate, them (His chosen) He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Paul teaches that “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31-34 [KJV]
[31] ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
It is God who justifies us, and makes intersession for us, those in Christ Jesus.
Lastly Paul asks “Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ?”
Romans 8:35-39 [KJV]
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This a powerful statement,
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It’s clear that nothing can separate us from the love which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
What a wonderful God we serve, who through his awesome love gave His only begotten Son to die for us, that we would be free from the wrath of God and the curses of the law through His Son, to receive the Glory of God adopted as the sons of Almighty God to life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Praise YHWH for He is Good and His Mercy endures forever!
I pray that you have been blessed by this study, and may YHWH keep you strong in His Spirit and free from all sin.