Romans 8:7 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.
Hence the reason why Jesus makes it abundantly clear that persons in whom God’s emancipation has not yet taken place are not expected to obey God in the real Biblical sense. They may do good, they may be law abiding citizens of the country in which they dwell, but they are still in bondage to this “person”. Even though, like the rich young ruler persons might attempt righteousness, and might actually succeed in doing so externally, the fact remains that they are still in captivity to the person in question and makes deliverance all the more necessary.
The way that a person is set free from captivity is by using their God-given freedom of choice to ask for deliverance. God does not arbitrarily impose a new mind on anyone against their own will, and because of this, we will have to choose to avail ourselves of the freedom Christ offers, from the bondage to the person, that is indigenous in the human experience. Prayer for deliverance is encouraged, and when this is done in sincerity, Jesus will always respond in the positive, for this is the essence of salvation, that of setting the captives free.
[Testimonies Vol. 1 pp 295] Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless and but a form. He well knows how needful are meditation and prayer to keep Christ's followers aroused to resist his cunning and deception. Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss.
Romans 8:9 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.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!