Lesson from the Epistles Romans 8:5-15 (The Inclusive Bible)
Those who live according to the flesh have their mind set on the things of the flesh; those who live by the Spirit, on things of the Spirit.
The mind of the flesh is death, but that of the Spirit is life and peace. The mind of the flesh stands in opposition to God; it is not subject to God’s law—indeed, it cannot be, since those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit lives because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then the One who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through the Spirit dwelling in you.
Therefore, we are under an obligation, my sisters and brothers [and siblings]—but not to the flesh or to live according to the flesh. If you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if you live by the Spirit, you will put to death the evil deeds of the body and you will live.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. For the Spirit that God has given you does not enslave you and trap you in fear, instead, through the Spirit God has adopted you as children, and by that Spirit we cry out, “Abba!”