The Spiritual Mind
Today’s Verse:
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ~Romans 8:6
Every believer has two natures. There is the old nature, which represents our carnal, sinful nature. This nature lives to please its own appetite and fleshly desires. The other nature is the new nature in Christ, which is the Spirit life. The first is known as the carnal man. The second is known as the spiritual man. Paul refers to the carnal mind, which only thinks about the temporal and how to please our desires. Then, there is the spiritual mind, which thinks about those things which are above. Let us see the importance of being spiritually-minded, and make the emphasis of our life things that are spiritual and eternal.
The Spirit-minded life is one that is regenerated.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). The spiritual mind begins when a sinner is born again. Being regenerated is experiencing the New Birth, where there is repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. This is spiritual birth. The spiritual mind has its starting point in being born again, or salvation.
The Spirit-minded life is one where there is residence.
“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.” A believer is capable of being spiritually-minded because the Holy Spirit indwells him. The Spirit’s indwelling is when He takes up permanent residence in the believer. He seals us and is the Earnest of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is our Teacher and the One Who comes alongside of us. The evidence of His indwelling is the fruit of the Spirit in us.
The Spirit-minded life is one that is released.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” We are free from the condemnation of sin! This means that we are no longer under sin’s penalty. Sin holds every sinner captive. When we get saved, we have true freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17b). Jesus asked the woman taken in adultery, “Where are thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” She told Him, “No man, Lord.” Then He gave her true freedom when He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.” That’s true freedom!
The Spirit-minded life is one that has restrictions.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” Now that we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, our mindset should be spiritual and not fleshly. The spiritual mind is always thinking about its direction (v. 4). The spiritual mind is always thinking about pleasing God (v. 8). The flesh must be put to death every day. We must walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We must set a watch over our thoughts, our words, our desires, and our decisions. Our goal is to feed the spiritual life and not the flesh life.
The Spirit-minded life is one that is rewarding. Paul said that to be spiritually-minded is life and peace. Life and peace are inseparable. Being spiritually-minded is both a quality life and a quantity life. It is a life of contentment, tranquility, and a continuous, positive outlook.
What’s on your mind this morning? Determine to be spiritually-minded in order to have God’s best for you and in you.
Have a Spirit-controlled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 1-2