Rom 8:8 (10) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(10) The conclusion. Therefore they that walk after the flesh cannot please God: by which it follows that they are not grafted into Christ. (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (NASB)
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV)
That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (NLT)
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (NET)
Literally: in flesh no power to please God
Those who live "en sarki" are "ou dunamai!" If we are submitted to the fallen flesh then we are governed by fallen flesh and remain powerless to please the almighty. Then we must consider whether we ought to wait for a holy lightening bolt to free us (the sin of passivity) or whether we ought to proceed with intestinal fortitude and cowboy up (the sin of arrogance). Perhaps there is another "way" who is Jesus Christ the Lord (I am the way, the truth, and the life) that if we confess our estate will lead us out of this present darkness into the warmth of His everlasting light!
Let us look back in time and hear the words of a grand old saint:
A child may be obstinate, proud, and disobedient; and while in this state, it may be affirmed of him that he cannot please his parent. But whether he might not cease to be obstinate, and become obedient, is a very different inquiry; and the two subjects should never be be confounded.
With his present character he can never please him; neither in health nor sickness; neither in life nor death; neither on earth nor in hell. He is engaged in hostility against God; and if he does not himself forsake it, it will be endless, and involve his soul in all the evils of a personal, and direct, and eternal warfare with the Lord Almighty. (Dr. Albert Barnes)
We should contrast this with the real assertion that the latent power of the soul is mightily capable of pleasing self and simultaneously deceiving self into thinking that self is pleasing God! Clearly 85% of the American population believes they belong to Jesus and thus declare themselves Christians! Now compare that with the morning news and see if it is true. NOT! Jesus did NOT say that the way was wide (like an eight-lane freeway) but rather "narrow," "difficult" and "few" would find it! If you find that your life is "ou dunamai" don't kid yourself! Either turn up the music of this world, or fall on your knees and find the way of hope!
"You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)