“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:13
We’ve seen how the Spirit confirms our identity, empowers our walk, and even promises to resurrect our mortal bodies. But now Paul turns to a practical truth: we are no longer debtors to the flesh. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).
This is not a call to earn salvation—it’s a call to examine our walk. Paul knows that in every church, there are people who have cleaned up their lives but haven’t been born again. Morality is not salvation. You can quit drinking, start attending church, and still be spiritually dead. That’s why Paul repeats the warning: if you live according to the flesh, you will die—not just physically, but spiritually. The Spirit-led life is not about behavior modification; it’s about heart transformation. And the Spirit works with each of us differently. Some believers are instantly freed from old habits, while others struggle for a season. The key is not perfection—it’s direction. Are we walking toward the light? Are we letting the Spirit expose what needs to change?
Think of the Christian life like walking toward a streetlamp on a dark night after being splashed by mud. At first, the mud on your clothes doesn’t look so bad. But as you get closer to the light, you see it more clearly. And when you’re standing directly under it, you realize you need to go home and change. That’s how the Holy Spirit works. He doesn’t shame us—He shines on us. And as we walk with Him, He lovingly reveals what needs to be surrendered. We’re not obligated to the flesh anymore. We’re under construction, yes—but we’re still open for business. Like a store with a “Pardon our dust” sign, we’re being remodeled by grace. And every day, the Lord is already loving us, already working in us, already drawing us closer to Himself.
Don’t confuse morality with salvation. Don’t swing to extremes—thinking you have to earn God’s love or that you have nothing to do at all. Instead, find balance. Enjoy God and overcome sin as you walk with Him. Let go of the things that don’t work—empty religion, self-righteousness, and performance-based faith. Embrace the Spirit’s leading, and let Him show you what a normal Christian life really looks like: one of joy, growth, and transformation. You are not obligated to the flesh. You are saved, sealed, and empowered to walk in the Spirit. Let that truth shape your steps today.
“The Spirit does not lull us into spiritual slumber—He stirs us to holy warfare. We must slay sin or it will slay us.” – J.D. Jones
surrendered devotions 