“The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
These verses are worded very strongly, but they show us what we are by nature. Our old sinful nature is actually enmity against God. The word enmity means a deep-seated hatred of something or someone, and that is the way our old nature feels towards God. It cannot please Him in any way.
Many years ago a Christian young man asked a much older Christian brother if he had any advice for a young man just starting out on the Christian pathway. His advice was good; he simply said, “Learn well four words—‘the flesh profiteth nothing’ (John 6:63)” It was good advice, for how often we as Christians think that there is some good left in us, and that allowing our sinful nature to act will somehow make us happy. Let us remember that it can never please God.
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