Memorize Romans 8:8 with Me!

 

Today, we are adding a new verse. In this Scripture Memory Review, we will be learning the verse, and all you need to do is follow along.

---

Romans 8:8

Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

---

Making Observations

I would be amiss to say that memorizing these verses without relating it back to the context surrounding these verses. So, as we are progressing through Romans, don’t forget to go above the scripture we are currently memorizing to get the whole picture of what is going on.  

With that said, it's time to observe this verse by making some observations. Here is a list of questions you could use to help you as you make observations.   Take a minute to work through them before we begin discussing the word CANNOT.

---

💡 Word Study: CANNOT

The Greek phrase translated as "cannot" literally means "are not able" or "do not have the power."

Let’s look at some cross-references.

---

📚 Cross-References

Matthew 3:9 (ESV) — And do not presume to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father," for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

Matthew 5:14 (ESV) — "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Acts 4:20 (ESV) — "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."

Acts 13:39 (ESV) — "And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) — "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

I tried to write up a description of the word “cannot”, but I was not able to do it justice. So, I thought it would be helpful to read from two commentaries. John MacArthur's commentary expounds on how this applies to the unbeliever, while Constable explains how a person could be a believer and also walk according to the flesh.

John MacArthur says:

"Every unredeemed person, whether religious or atheistic, whether outwardly moral or outwardly wicked, is hostile toward God. An unsaved person cannot live a godly and righteous life because he has no godly and righteous nature or resources. He therefore cannot have genuine love for God or the things of God. His sinful, fleshly mind does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so. Even an unbeliever whose life seems to be a model of good works is not capable of doing anything truly good, because he is not motivated or empowered by God and because his works are produced by the flesh for self-centered reasons and can never be to God’s glory. It clearly follows, then, that if the fleshly mind does not and cannot subject itself to the law of God, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

Constable also helps us understand this verse:

The mind set on the flesh is essentially "hostile toward God." To set one's mind on the flesh is contrary to God's law. Here, "the law of God" refers to whatever God requires. "'Being in the flesh' may almost be defined as 'pleasing (not God but) oneself'." From the end of verse 7 to the end of verse 8, it seems clear that Paul wanted "to expose the flesh in its stark reality as being totally alien to God and his purpose." What interests a person reveals his or her essential character. It is possible to "walk according to the flesh" (vv. 4–5) and not to be "in the flesh," however. In other words, it is possible to live like an unregenerate person even though one has experienced regeneration. Some expositors have concluded that verse 8 teaches that regeneration precedes faith. However, Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." In this text, faith precedes regeneration. The solution is probably that these two things happen simultaneously.

I hope that gave you a bit more insight into this verse! Now, let's move into active memorization.

---

🗣️ Active Memorization Practice

All right, here we go!

Step 1: Listen & Read (if your reading the blog, skip this part)

Read along silently as I say the verse three times out loud:

Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Step 2: Speak Out Loud

Now it’s your turn! Say the verse out loud 10 times.

Step 3: Recite from Memory

Cover the verse above and repeat it from memory 10 more times.

---

📝 Today's Reflection

Great job today! Later this afternoon, review this verse, and continue practicing it daily. As you do, ask yourself: Is there anything tempting you to walk in the flesh? What can you do today to walk in the Spirit?

If you are finding these blogposts  helpful as you memorize Scripture, take a second to leave a review and hit the Follow or Subscribe button right now in your podcast app.

And if someone popped into your mind while you were listening, tap the share button and send this episode directly to them. It takes five seconds, and it means the world.

Until next time, stay tuned and stay rooted!

---

Reference

Constable, T. L. (2026). Notes on Romans (2026 ed.). Sonic Light. https://soniclight.com/tcon/notes/pdf/romans.pdf

MacArthur, J. F. (1991). Romans 1–8. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Moody Press. (See specifically page 419).

Stop Cherry Picking John 3:16

To Listen click HERE!

Welcome back, friends!

A couple of weeks ago, we wrapped up the third week of the Romans 8 study written by Pam Gillaspie. During that week, we looked at several passages related to salvation. As I began writing this post, I was reminded of just how valuable it is to study these passages and see how they connect with one another.

For the past week or so, I had been struggling to figure out what to write about. Then, a couple of mornings ago, as I was reading through John 3 and reviewing the portion of Romans 8 I had already memorized, it hit me! Romans 8:3–4 connects with John 3! It was one of those aha moments when you begin to see how Scripture fits together.

But before we get into that connection, let's review.

What We Know About Romans

• Romans Chapters 1-3:20:  Paul focuses on showing our need for God’s righteousness for both Jew and Gentile.  We are sinners. 

• Romans Chapters 3:21-5: Paul provides the provision for God’s righteousness.  Shows that God saves sinners by faith and not by works. 

• Romans 6-8: Shows how we are sanctified. Romans 6, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness.    

• In Romans 7, Paul describes the ongoing struggle with sin, even for those who belong to Christ. The law can never make a person good. 

• Romans 8 points us to the freedom we have in Christ and calls us to walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh

Paul addresses how God provided the solution to our problem of sin, and that is where I want to focus today. Let's look at Romans 8:3–4.

Read Today's Passage

Read today's passage with me

Romans 8:3-4

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 

so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

God Sent His Son In The Likeness Of Sinful Man

When it comes to Scripture, context is king, as my Precept friends would say!

Understanding why God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin will help us better understand this passage. So, let's look at another passage of Scripture that helps explain why God sent His Son.

Most people can quote John 3:16 but fail to go above that verse or even after it to get the broader context.  Let's go over a quick summary of John 3. 

John 3 takes place during the night  when a prominent leader of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus, spoke to Jesus by telling him that because of all of the signs that He was doing he must be a  teacher sent from God.  A little background: The Sanhedrin was the Jewish ruling council, with significant religious and legal authority. Keep this in mind as we continue through the passage.

Jesus responds to Nicodemus by telling him  how a person can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  He uses the words Truly Truly, which means with absolute reliability.  This is not an opinion. He tells Nicodemus that in order to enter the kingdom of God he must be born again.  

Nicodemus questions this statement. Jesus explains what He means by being born again, referring to being born of water and the Spirit. He also uses the wind to illustrate how the Spirit works. Yet Nicodemus still struggles to understand.

Jesus then challenged him by saying “aren’t you the teacher of the Jews and do not understand these things?”  

Remember what I said about the Sanhedrin earlier. Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel, someone who was expected to understand the Scriptures. Yet here we see him struggling to understand what Jesus is saying.

Jesus then makes another “Truly, truly” statement. I like the way the NLT translates this verse because it uses the word believe. The Greek word carries the idea of believing, trusting, and placing confidence in someone.

Notice how Jesus challenges Nicodemus to believe what He is telling him about earthly things before moving on to heavenly things.

The NLT says John 3:12 says: 

“But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” 

Jesus then makes some quite astonishing claims to Nicodemus:

Now back to the BSB version verse 13 says: 

“No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.”

Jesus then foreshadows what will happen to Him in verses  14-15 

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.”

If you haven't read Numbers 21, I would encourage you to do so. To summarize the part relevant to our passage, the Israelites become impatient and complain against God and Moses. The LORD sends venomous snakes among them, and after the people acknowledge their sin, God provides a way for them to live. Those who have been bitten must look at the bronze serpent on the pole.

Jesus uses this event to help Nicodemus understand what He is about to do. Just as the Israelites who looked at the bronze serpent lived, Jesus explains that the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

Then we come to the verse that most people can quote by heart, and one that even many unbelievers have heard:

John 3:16-18 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

It’s important to break this down by asking the 5 w’s and H otherwise you could miss important details. 

• What did God do? He sent His Son into the world.

• Why did God send His Son? To save the world through Him.

• What is the result for those who believe in Him? They are not condemned.

• What about those who do not believe in Him? They remain condemned.

• When does that condemnation begin? Jesus says they have already been condemned.

• Why? Because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

From what we have already learned about Creation and the Fall of mankind, this makes sense. Sin entered the world through the Fall, and death came through sin. As Paul explains in Romans 3 and 5, all have sinned and need to be reconciled to God.

We need new life, and Jesus explained this to Nicodemus when He spoke about being born again. We needed a way to be saved from sin, and God provided that way through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Just as God provided a way for the Israelites to live, He provided a way for us to be saved from sin through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Now let's bring this back to Romans 8:3–4. God did what the Law could not do because of our sinful flesh. He sent His Son as an offering for sin, condemning sin in the flesh. Through Christ, the righteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us as we walk according to the Spirit.

When I think about what Christ did for us, it is almost too much for me to grasp. He bore our sins on the cross, even though He Himself was without sin. I know that I still sin daily, and just thinking about the weight of my sin being placed on Him is mind-boggling. The magnitude of the sin He bore on the cross is beyond what I can fully comprehend.

When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you receive a new identity in Him. Notice these phrases in Romans 6:

• Verse 4: Buried with Him

• Verse 5: United with Him

• Verse 6: Crucified with Him

• Verse 8: Live with Him

Because of what Christ has done for us, we need to remember who we are in Him and live in light of that truth.

Practical Ways to Remember Who You Are In Christ

So today, I want to share five practical ways you can incorporate into your week to help you keep your identity in Christ at the forefront of your mind.

1. Ask Yourself, “Am I Living Like I Belong to Christ?”

2. Start a Running “Who I Am in Christ” List, Then Memorize Ephesians 1 

The first place I would point you is Ephesians 1. This chapter is so rich in what it teaches us about who we are in Christ.

Before memorizing the chapter, read it multiple times and mark the phrase “in Christ.” Then, write down what you learn in a small journal dedicated to this purpose.

As you continue reading your Bible, whenever you come across a passage that teaches you something about who you are in Christ, add it to your list.

3. Memorize Single Verses Related To Who You Are In Christ. 

Most of you by now know that I don't normally memorize single verses. However, in this case, I think it can be beneficial, as long as you understand the context surrounding each verse.

Here is a summary of the verses I recommend.  

***Don’t forget to read the verse within its context. *** 

Scripture	What it teaches about my identity
Romans 6:17-18	I am set free from sin and have become a slave to righteousness.
Romans 8:1	I am free from condemnation
Romans 8:2	I am free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:6	I have life and peace
Romans 8:14-17	I am a child of God
Romans 8:39	I have security in God’s love
2 Corinthians 5:17	I am a new creation
Philippians 3:20	My citizenship is in heaven
1 Peter 2:9-10	I belong to God’s people, I am part of the royal priesthood, I have received mercy
Revelation 2:17	Future promise: I will be given a new name

4. Turn Verses Into Prayers:

An example of how you could do this for Romans 8:14-17 would be: “Father, thank You that through Christ I am Your child. Help me live today remembering that I belong to You.” 

5. Share one verse about your identity in Christ with a friend. Talk about what it teaches you and how you can remind one another of this truth throughout the week.

Final Thoughts

I hope one of these five ways to remember who you are in Christ resonated with you. Or perhaps you have another idea that would be helpful. I would love to hear what you plan to do!

Leave a comment on the blog post or send me a message if you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Will You Start Today By Asking Yourself, “Am I Living Like I Belong to Christ?”

If today's episode brought you a little extra perspective or encouragement, take a second to hit the Follow or Subscribe button right now in your podcast app.

And if someone popped into your mind while you were listening, tap the share button and send this episode directly to them. It takes five seconds, and it means the world.

Until next time, stay tuned and stay rooted!

Bible Hub. (n.d.). Strong's Greek: 4100. πιστεύω (pisteuó) -- To believe, to have faith, to trust. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/4100.htm

A Needed Heart Check

 It is near the end of February and I truly hope you’re enjoying the process of internalizing the passage you’re working on right now. This month, I wanted to share a personal struggle that can quietly creep in while memorizing Scripture.

Recently, I’ve been revisiting my WHY behind Scripture memory. I’ve learned it’s important for me to reevaluate that often, especially because I’m someone who thrives on checklists and the satisfaction of marking something complete. I’m not against that at all; honestly, it’s how I stay productive at home and get things done. But when it comes to memorizing Scripture, I have to pause and ask myself: Am I truly internalizing this or am I just memorizing it to “get it done” and check the box? If I’m being honest, this is a real struggle for me and I suspect it always will be.

So, as I was creating YouTube and podcast content for Psalm 139, I started out excited and eager to dig deep. But as time went on, I noticed my enthusiasm and discipline fading. Instead of lingering and digging in further, I caught myself just trying to check the box on my preplanned content. (I’m not someone who procrastinates. I actually prefer to get things done early and stick to the plan I’ve laid out.) But somewhere along the way, even though I was uncovering beautiful truths about God and His relationship with us, something didn’t feel quite right.

That’s when the hard questions kept surfacing:

Am I using my time wisely? (Thank you, Ephesians 5:15-16)

Am I more focused on producing content than on meditating on the verse itself?

Am I seeking the approval of others?

Am I making time for my family?

Am I praying?

These were hard questions for me to think through and I’d encourage you to ask them of yourself too. For me, questions like these usually surface when the Holy Spirit is nudging my heart to bring conviction or to redirect me entirely. Maybe you’ve experienced this too as you are internalizing scripture or maybe in another area of your life?

Right now, I’m sensing that it may be time to step back, at least a little, from focusing primarily on creating content. I want to lean more fully into being available for my family and also mentor and walk alongside ladies that have been placed in my life, sharing life together, and hiding God’s Word in our hearts in a more personal, intentional way.

You will continue to see posts for Psalm 139 until we finish.  After this Psalm my focus on this blog will be knowing God's word through scripture memory by studying it and applying it to life in general with the intent of pointing you to Him who is over all things.