Summary

Romans 8:12–13 sits at the center of Paul’s teaching on life in the Spirit, and in this sermon Dr. Michael Easley draws attention to the decisive shift that takes place when a person trusts Christ. Salvation is not merely forgiveness—it's a complete reorientation of our spiritual starting point. When the Spirit of God takes up residence in a believer, everything changes. We are no longer obligated to obey the flesh, no longer bound to its impulses, and no longer defined by its demands.

Dr. Easley explains that many Christians continue living as though the flesh still holds authority, when Scripture says the opposite. The flesh is not neutral; it is hostile to God and must be confronted. Paul calls believers to put sin to death, but he also makes clear that this cannot be accomplished through willpower or personal resolve. It is the Spirit who enables us to kill the deeds of the body and to live in the freedom God intends.

This passage invites believers to acknowledge sin honestly, take responsibility for their choices, and actively depend on the Spirit for transformation. Life in Christ begins—and continues—with the power of the Spirit making us alive, responsive, and obedient to God.

Takeaways

Trusting Christ moves your point of departure from the flesh to the indwelling Spirit.

The believer does not have to follow the flesh—its pull is a lie, not an obligation.

Only the Holy Spirit empowers us to put sin to death; the flesh cannot improve.

Sin behaves like bamboo—relentless and invasive—requiring continual Spirit-empowered resistance.

To mortify sin, believers must first acknowledge its true evil without minimizing or excusing it.

Life in the Spirit is not passive; it is a daily, intentional dependence on the One who empowers obedience.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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