7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
— Romans 8:7-11 (ESV)
It is so important for followers of Christ to know, believe, and understand that the Holy Spirit came to live inside of them at salvation. Without the Holy Spirit to rely upon our battle against our spiritual adversary would be futile. That battle must be waged in the Spirit, not in the flesh.
Verse 9 provides clear evidence that we receive the Holy Spirit at Salvation. If we are born-again children of God the Holy Spirit lives inside of us and is available for us in all circumstances.
The flesh is hungry for your attention and your passion, and fuels the desire to focus on self instead of on God. As Christians we walk in the Spirit with the desire to please and serve God, which allows us to feed our soul instead of our flesh.
The Holy Spirit not only brings spiritual life to us, He can also affect us positively in all aspects of our life. Rely upon His guidance and live every moment of your life honoring Jesus Christ.
Verse 11 is one of the most powerful and encouraging scriptures in the Bible. I ask you to read it over and over and spend time pondering on it. It tells us that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of His followers today. That is a breathtaking revelation that should empower all Christians to do whatever God asks of them!
While death has been eternally defeated through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, unless we go to Heaven in the rapture, our bodies are doomed to die.
But, that is not the end of the story. As Christians our souls have the promise of living eternally in the presence of God. Cling to that promise as you go about doing God’s business every moment that you are allowed to walk this Earth.
Austin Bishop is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Those wishing to receive his daily devotional/Bible study notes may sign up by texting 601-938-2471 and asking to be added to either the morning or afternoon list.
