Why do you constantly respond in anger instead of being patient and gentle? Why do you envy your neighbour instead of exercising self-control? Why do you act with selfish ambitions instead of showing love and kindness?
“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, the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
Yesterday, you learned that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer and has truly made them His abode. Not only should you remain conscious of this, but you should also know that He wants to do certain things in you.
Romans 8:5-8
New King James Version
5 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, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
A carnal mind is that of a person who lives according to the flesh; one whose mind is steadily fixed on fleshly passions. In contrast to this is the spiritual mind, which is ruled by the Spirit.
You may wonder: how exactly is a person with a carnal mind like? A person with a mind ruled by the flesh will produce works of the flesh. We see this in the book of Galatians 5:
Galatians 5:19-23
New King James Version
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
This is a time to examine yourself. Ask yourself about those subtle things that you could easily shrug off as permissible, but they are works of the flesh. Why do you constantly respond in anger instead of being patient and gentle? Why do you envy your neighbour instead of exercising self-control? Why do you act with selfish ambitions instead of showing love and kindness? In some believers today, the works of the flesh are seen manifest in them instead of the fruit of the Spirit. This is an aberration. Why do we see this deviation from what a believer’s reality should be?
Romans 8:5
New King James Version
5 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, the things of the Spirit.
Setting your mind on the things of the flesh can lead to you living according to the dictates of the flesh. Two believers can be faced with the same circumstances but respond differently based on what they have constantly set their minds on, based on what they have allowed to rule over their actions.
How do you ensure you are not ruled by the flesh but by the Spirit of God?
Galatians 5:16-17
New King James Version
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
This passage brings to the forefront of your mind the reality many Christians face. There is an active war going on in every believer. Not only are you informed of this war, but you are told how to have victory: WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND YOU WILL NOT FULFILL THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH. Walking in the Spirit is the solution!
Romans 8 identifies that if you set your mind on the things of the Spirit, you live according to the Spirit. Therefore, you can conclude that a mind set on the things of the Spirit is one that is constantly victorious over the flesh.
There are some practical steps to constantly setting your mind on the things of the Spirit, but before you go into the steps, you must be aware of your spiritual reality: you are already victorious over the flesh and its passions because of what Christ has done. You are no longer a slave to sin! Knowing these practical steps will help enforce this spiritual reality and truly make it your daily experience.
- Constantly renewing your mind with God's Word
Romans 12:2
New King James Version
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The Word of God can transform your mind such that it won't be controlled by the flesh!
The knowledge of this should radically transform your Bible reading times. Know that as you come in contact with God’s Word, you are changed; you are not leaving the same. It has the power to transform your mind such that you do not conform to this world.
The Word of God is powerful!
- Surround yourself with the right people
1 Corinthians 15:33
New King James Version
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.
In this passage, Apostle Paul said this in response to people believing wrong doctrine because they had associated with skeptics and false teachers who believed wrong doctrine.
Your company can determine what you believe. Hence, it is important to surround yourself with people who do not encourage you to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. The state of your mind is extremely pivotal to determining whether you walk in the Spirit or fulfil the lusts of the flesh. It is therefore not something to take lightly.
As you apply the practical steps above, trust in God’s help to keep your mind fixed on the things of the Spirit.
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for victory over the flesh. I declare that every day I fix my gaze on the things of the Spirit, so I live according to the Spirit. I yield to the Spirit of God daily.
