Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 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. 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.
The children of the flesh are fitly represented by Esau, who lived primarily for the here and now, with no thought or consideration for the great hereafter, and whose sole purpose in life was the indulgence of pleasures, and procuring the material things of this earth. Even though he was exposed to the same religious influences as was his brother Jacob, he never really came around to esteeming the riches of God's grace correctly, and things of a religious nature were almost a burden to him. Now it is true that we all were at some point in time also children of the flesh, meaning that our natural tendencies to evil and sinful pleasures were made to override spiritual interests, and in this respect we are no different or better than Esau was. Let's read:
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Now it's very important for us to know that just because a person has been born into a Christian family, does it mean that he or she is automatically a Christian, for the religious influences with which we might be surrounded, do not make us religious or converted. As children of the flesh, we will need to exercise faith in God in order for deliverance from spiritual bondage to be experienced in our lives, for there is not one single person living on the planet that was born with any inherent goodness. The big difference between Esau and Jacob was their choices in life, which determined their eternal destiny, and therefore the children of the flesh do have hope and opportunity, just like any other, to be saved in God's kingdom.
The great change that God is able to accomplish in the children of the flesh leads us to avoid certain activities and practices that are contrary to a healthy spiritual relationship with God, and therefore, our works will ultimately show whether we are children of the flesh or children of the promise. The fleshly mind enjoys and indulges in all of those sinful propensities that are lodged in our carnal nature, hence the reason why our passage for today says that those who are in the flesh cannot please God, for their minds are not subject to the law of God. And that there may be no mistake as to what type of forbidden activities the apostle is speaking about, a laundry list is given in the following verses, so that we may truly check ourselves to see where we stand. Let's read:
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
One of the practices mentioned in the above list is witchcraft, a dark art that has become popular with millions of people, through the distribution and viewing of the Harry potter episodes. The carnal mind craves excitement, fear, thrills, and supernatural manifestations, and thus the multitudes who attend such exhibitions are of a carnal mindset, and cannot please God, whilst at the same time indulging in what the flesh craves for, which is contrary to sound doctrine. Being a Christian involves much more than a mere profession, and although we should never do the right in order to be saved, yet, by the grace and power of God, we should avoid all of those forbidden activities mentioned in Galatians 5, that will pull us in an opposite direction other than that which The Holy Spirit is taking us.
Our choices and decisions in life do form our characters, and our character determines our eternal destiny, thus it behooves us to make wise choices in life that will put Christ in control of our lives and would facilitate the good work of salvation He is able and willing to perform. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which speaks volumes to the children of the flesh, who desire permanent change in their lives, for God came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Let's read:
Romans 8:12 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.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!