Nature Beyond Belief
What Is Your Mind Set On?
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those, who are in the flesh, cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8 ESV)
We find our verses in the section about life in the Spirit. The section begins by stating that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (verse 1), and because we are in Christ Jesus, we have been set free from the law of sin and death (verse 2). The law of God cannot save us, it can only point out our need of a savior (verse 3). Those who then walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh are able to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law (verse 4). A key summary verse leading up to our verses of study is verse 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Verse 5 points out that there are two ways in which to live: according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. If our minds are set on living by the flesh, then the outcome is death because salvation is a gift from God and is not obtainable through the efforts of the flesh. In fact, “our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6 ESV) and only condemn us.
If our minds are set on living by the Spirit, then the outcome is life and peace because we live to glorify God and not self. As the Father chooses us in Jesus Christ and causes us to be born spiritually, he gives us the Holy Spirit who then dwells in us forever, and by him (by Jesus living his life in us an through us), we seek to do the will of God, thus bringing glory to him. Living in communion with God, we enjoy life and experience his peace.
Those who live according to the flesh are described in Romans 3:10 – 18. They are not righteous, and lack understanding and do not seek God (verses 10 – 11). They have turned aside from God and have become worthless because they are unable to do good (verse 12). They use their tongue to deceive, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood and in their paths are ruin and misery (verses 13 – 16). The life they live knows no peace and they seem not to fear God and his judgments (verses 17 – 18). Each time we watch the news we see evidence of walking in the flesh. Indeed, such a life is hostile to God and does not submit to the law of God.
Those who walk by the flesh live to please themselves and not God. They do not accept the things of the Spirit of God because to them they are folly, and not being spiritually alive, they are unable to understands the things of God and thus cannot please him.
Father how easy it is to drift away from you and becomes friends with the world. It is a process that may not be noticed until it is too late. It is like the frog placed in a pan of water that is slowly heated, who does not realize the pending danger. Only by intentionally walking in the Spirit can we successfully complete our life on earth.
The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT
Summary Theme
The Mind Governed by the Flesh Versus the Mind Governed by the Spirit
Summary Paragraph
In Romans 8:6–8, the apostle Paul contrasts two fundamentally different ways of living. A mind set on the flesh is controlled by sinful human nature and leads to spiritual death because it is hostile toward God and unwilling to submit to His will. In contrast, a mind set on the Spirit produces true life and peace through a restored relationship with God. Those who remain under the control of the flesh cannot please God because they reject His authority and depend on their own sinful desires. Paul reminds believers that genuine spiritual transformation begins with a renewed mind directed by the Holy Spirit. As Christians yield to the Spirit’s leading, they experience the life, peace, and fellowship with God that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:
1. What does Paul mean by “the mind governed by the flesh”?
Answer:
The “mind governed by the flesh” refers to a person whose thoughts, desires, priorities, and decisions are controlled by the sinful nature rather than by God. It is more than occasional sinful actions; it describes an entire orientation of life that places self above God’s will. Such a mindset values worldly pleasures, independence, and self-rule while resisting God’s truth. Because it is separated from God, it ultimately results in spiritual death. Paul is showing that the direction of one’s mind reveals the condition of one’s heart.
2. Why does the mind governed by the Spirit produce life and peace?
Answer:
The Holy Spirit transforms believers by renewing their hearts and minds. As believers submit to the Spirit, they receive spiritual life through Christ, enjoy peace with God because of forgiveness, and experience the inner peace that comes from trusting Him. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s favor and fellowship. A Spirit-governed mind increasingly reflects Christ’s character and desires, allowing believers to walk in obedience and confidence, even during trials.
3. What does Paul mean when he says the flesh is hostile toward God?
Answer:
Paul explains that fallen human nature naturally opposes God’s authority. Rather than submitting to God’s commands, the sinful nature seeks independence and self-gratification. This hostility is not simply passive neglect but active resistance to God’s rule. Left unchanged, people cannot obey God because sin has corrupted their hearts. This is why salvation requires more than moral improvement—it requires the new birth through the work of the Holy Spirit, who changes the heart and enables obedience.
4. Why does Paul say that those who are in the flesh cannot please God?
Answer:
Without faith and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, even outwardly good deeds cannot meet God’s standard of righteousness. The fundamental problem is not merely behavior but the condition of the heart. Since unbelievers remain under the control of their sinful nature, they lack both the desire and the ability to fully submit to God. Only through Christ can a person be declared righteous and empowered by the Spirit to live a life that honors God. Believers please God not through perfection but through a relationship of faith that produces Spirit-led obedience.
5. How can believers cultivate a mind set on the Spirit?
Answer:
A Spirit-governed mind develops through daily dependence upon God. Believers cultivate this mindset by regularly reading and meditating on Scripture, praying, worshiping, obeying God’s Word, and relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fellowship with other believers also encourages spiritual growth and accountability. As Christians intentionally fill their minds with God’s truth instead of worldly influences, the Holy Spirit shapes their thoughts, attitudes, and actions to become more like Christ. Over time, this produces increasing spiritual maturity, deeper peace, and a life that glorifies God.
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