What difference does Paul draw between believers and unbelievers in Romans 8:9?
Paul draws the difference by stating believers are not in the flesh and are no longer under the control of old Adam, since the Spirit of God dwells in them. Unbelievers remain carnal, in the flesh, at enmity with God, and unable to please Him.
Les explains that in Romans 8:9 Paul draws the difference between the believer and the carnal or unbeliever. The believer is not in the flesh, not under the control of old Adam anymore, if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in him. By contrast, the carnal, natural, unsaved mind is death, enmity against God, not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Those in the flesh cannot please God. The Holy Spirit has come into the picture and made us pay attention to what God has to say; they who are after the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
More Questions
What does it mean to be in the Spirit and not in the flesh in Romans 8:9?
To be 'not in the flesh' means you are not under old Adam, but are in the Spirit, under His control instead of old Adam.
Why is Romans 8:9 about not having the Spirit of Christ such a scary verse?
Paul's statement that if any man has not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His is a scary verse, and Les says people sometimes need to be scared a little bit by it.