11 June 2025
“The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God… Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7–8, CSB).
This is one of the most sobering realities in all of Scripture. The flesh doesn’t simply ignore God, it opposes Him. It doesn’t merely drift from His law, it resists it outright. Mark Penrith said, “The flesh is not neutral. The flesh is hostile. Hostile to truth. Hostile to grace. Hostile to God.” That’s where the path of self-effort ends—not in closeness to God, but in conflict with Him.
Paul writes that the flesh “does not submit to God’s law.” But it’s worse than that. Mark pointed out, “It does not obey. It does not bend. It does not bow. But more than that, it cannot.” We are not just unwilling, we are unable. This is what theologians call total depravity. “Not that every person is as bad as they could be, but that sin infects every part of every person.” The result? “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
No matter how sincere your intentions, without the Spirit, your efforts fall short. Mark was direct: “Not by trying. Not by religion. Not by sincerity. Without the Spirit, we remain stuck. Sinful. Selfish. Separated.” This is why trying harder can’t fix you. This is why white-knuckled Christianity eventually collapses. You can’t please God without God.
But there is hope. The gospel never leaves us in despair. The very next verse in Romans shifts tone: “You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9, CSB). There is a way to live in the Spirit. There is a way to walk in peace with God. But it is not by performance. Mark said, “The turning point is not effort. The turning point is indwelling.” The difference is not willpower, it is presence.
So what do you do when frustration mounts? When parenting feels like a war zone? When your best efforts still fall short? Pause and say, “Spirit, I can’t, but You can.” Surrender is not giving up, it’s giving over. “The turning point is not trying. The turning point is trusting.”
Prayer:
Lord, I can’t please You on my own. Fill me with Your Spirit, and lead me in Your strength today. Amen.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.