“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:5–6).
What do you think about, when your mind has room to wander? What do you talk about, when you get the opportunity to speak your mind? Jesus said that “Out of the abundance of the heart {the} mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Your words reveal who you really are. Your thoughts guide your words, your decisions, your actions, and ultimately your destiny.
In the modern world of social media, many of us have a platform to publicize our thoughts constantly. Go to your friend’s Facebook page, and you know what matters to him or her. Does your friend post Bible verses? Devotional readings? Sports news? Music videos? Dirty jokes? Photos of family and friends? If you have a social media account, take a look at the things you post. What does it say about you?
When discussing Romans 12:2, the verse that introduces the concept of “renewal of the mind” that this blog frequently addresses, we saw that this renewal is the work of the Holy Spirit. As we come to Christ and His Spirit dwells in us, He transforms us by renewing our thinking.
Romans 8 contrasts two lives: The life “according to the Spirit” (the life of a true follower of Jesus) and the life “according to the flesh” (the life of one who does not have a real relationship with Him). It is interesting to place these two lives side-by-side (items in italics on the right side of this chart are implied by the context; God has more to say to His children than He does about the rest of the world here):
|
Christian Life |
Non-Christian Life |
| No condemnation (sin is condemned in the flesh of Christ) | Condemnation |
| Law of the spirit of life | Law of sin and death |
| Walk/live according to the Spirit | Walk/live according to the flesh |
| Set their minds of the things of the Spirit
—Life and peace |
Set their minds on the things of the flesh
—Death —Hostile to God —Cannot submit to God’s law —Cannot please God |
| In the Spirit; Spirit of Christ dwells within | Does not have the Spirit; does not belong to Him |
| Body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies | The Spirit will not give eternal life to our mortal bodies. When they die due to sin, that’s it |
| Spirit is life because of righteousness | Death because of unrighteousness |
Notice a few key words that characterize the Christian life: Spirit; life; peace; righteousness. Now, notice some that characterize the non-Christian life: condemnation; sin; death; flesh; hostility. Which do you prefer? Now, ask yourself: Which list characterizes your thought life?
Many Christians spend too much time refusing the blessings we have available to ourselves. We say our prayers and read our Bibles, but then we may run off and do our own thing the rest of the day. We set our minds on the things of the Spirit for half an hour before work, but then we spend the rest of the day on the things of the flesh. It is an easy trap to fall into, with all of the messages and images that bombard our brains throughout the day.
Some even try to baptize their fleshly thinking in Christian jargon, but it does not work: Hostility and anger are usually not “righteous indignation”; what some people call “naming and claiming the promises of God” is usually greed, materialism, and consumerism with a blasphemous pseudo-Christian label slapped on it. True life, true joy, and true peace are found when we yield our thoughts to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not when we try to coerce God to surrender to our program.
When you finish reading this blog, take some time to read your Bible and talk to Jesus (especially if you have not done so yet today!). Then, ponder the truths He revealed to you through His Word. God is always speaking to His children, but we need to listen. Think about what God is trying to say to you. Let it guide your thoughts, desires, and plans above all else. The world, flesh, and devil seek to derail you through a flood of voices and visual presentations. God wishes to speak His gentle peace to your heart. It comes quietly and subtly, but it brings great peace, joy, life, and righteousness. Set your mind on the things that bring God’s blessing into your life.
Copyright © 2018 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.
Darkened Glass Reflections 
6 responses to “Setting Your Mind Where It Belongs—Romans 8:5–6”
[…] Setting Your Mind Where It Belongs—Romans 8:5–6 (published August 12, 2018; #8 in 2023; eighth most-read article on Darkened Glass Reflections ever) […]
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Hi ,
(Romans 8 : 6) states,
‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’
Question is _:
What is meant by carnal mind ?
Answer _:
These are the overall explanatory verses_:
Carnal mind contains _:
1) (1 Timothy 6 : 4_5)
‘ Unhealthy craving for controversy & quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions & constant friction among people .’
2)(Psalm 50:16-23)
‘ Hatred about instruction, When sees a thief,consents with him, partaking with adulterers. Giving mouth to evil, tongue frames deceit,& speaking against brother. ‘
3) (Colossians 3:5–8)
‘ Fornication,wrath,anger uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness which is idolatry, malice,blasphemy, filthy language out of the mouth.”
4) (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7)
“Sexual immorality & passion of lust. ‘
5)’ That is lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes & the pride of life.’ (1John 2: 16)
6) ( 1 Peter 4: 3)
‘ Lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
7)(Ephesians 4:18)
‘ Blindness of the heart,& darkened understanding.’
8) (Romans 1:28)
‘ Depraved mind, to do the things which are not proper.’
9) (1Corinthians 3: 3)
‘ Strife & divisions ‘)
10) (James 4: 1-4)
“Desires for pleasure,
wars, fights & friendship
with this world,‘
11) ( Jude 8,19 )
’ Filthy dreams,hard & sensual speeches,murmurs & complains. ‘
12) (James 3: 14, 16)
’ Bitter envy, jealousy., confusion, selfish ambition& every evil work.’
13) (Galatians 5 :19, 20 )
’ Works of the flesh are; fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, seditions & heresies. ‘
14) (Matt 13 :22)
‘ Care of this world & the deceitfulness of riches. ‘
15) ‘Desires of the flesh.’
(Ephesians .2 :3)
16) (2 Timothy 3:5 )
‘ The appearance of godliness, but denying its power.’
The human body has 3 parts, 1.Outward flesh 2.
Soul, 3.spirit.(1The.5 :23 )
This diagram depicts the content in it.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VRiNNj7FmWm2FebLA
1.The outward body consists of brain & 5sense organs.Brain consists of undetstanding, wisdom, knowledge
2 The soul consists of heart, mind, thoughts.,plans, regard, deem, desire, esteem, learn, memory, notice, emotions, opinion, conscience, imagination, meditation, attention & consideration.
==========
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Thanks for sharing those verses, which show all the ways the carnal mind manifests itself in a person’s life.
And thanks for sharing the link to the diagram.
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Hi , Michael
This is your another article about :
A New Heart, A New Life—Ezekiel 36:25–27
See the God’s heart condition in the next books through these verses :
(Hosea 4 :1-3, 8:3-5) ‘Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.By swearing & lying, killing, stealing & committ ing adultery, they break out, blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, every one that dwelleth therein shall languish,'( 8:3-5)Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.of their silver & their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?’
( Amos 3 : 1, 2 ) ‘ Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.’
(Malachi 2 : 2, 3 : 8,9)’ ‘If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.( 3:8-9)’Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes & offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.’
Romans 1 :21-23, 28 – 32) ‘Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, & their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,& changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man & to birds, fourfooted beasts, & creeping things.(28 – 32) even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all fornication, unrighteousness, murder, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.’
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[…] Setting Your Mind Where It Belongs—Romans 8:5–6 (published August 12, 2018; eighth most-read article on Darkened Glass Reflections ever) […]
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Good word.
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