Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 8:7-8

"because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God." — Romans 8:7-8 (ASV)

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

We must be born again then. It is no use improving the flesh.

The taking away of the filth of the flesh was the old law, but the burying of the flesh, that is the new. The plunging of it into the death of Christ is the very sign of the new covenant. Oh! to know to the full, the power of the life of God for the death of the flesh!

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Those who have never been born again, so as to be "in the Spirit," are still just as they were born "in the flesh," so they cannot please God. Do what they may, there is an essential impurity about their nature so that they cannot be pleasing to God.

We must be born again; we must become spiritual by the new birth which is worked by the Holy Spirit, or else it is impossible for us to please God. O you who are trying your best to please God apart from the new birth, and apart from Christ, see how this iron bar is put across your path: they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Go then to him, and ask him to give you his Spirit, that you may be spiritual, and no longer carnal.