Text: Romans 8:5-13
In our text, Paul contrasted two different mindsets – one set on the flesh, the other set on the Spirit. These are diametrically opposed to one another, and as Christians, it should be obvious which side we are on. Yet too often, we allow our minds to focus on the flesh instead of the Spirit. It is important that our focus is where it needs to be. In this lesson, we are going to compare these two mindsets and see how to stay on track.
Two Mindsets (Romans 8:5-6)
- The mind set on the flesh – they are “according to the flesh,” so they do not look beyond their physical existence and indulge in sin; the result of this is death; this death is associated with sin (Romans 8:2; cf. 6:23), resulting in punishment
- The mind set on the Spirit – they are “according to the Spirit,” so they set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) and overcome sin; the result of this is life and peace; this is eternal life (cf. Romans 6:23) and “peace with God” (Romans 5:1)
The Mind Set on the Flesh (Romans 8:7-8)
- Hostile toward God – “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (James 4:4); we must choose a side (cf. Matthew 6:24); love the world or love the Father (1 John 2:15-17)
- Does not subject itself to the law of God – it views the gospel as foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-25); it is not able to subject itself; the reason is because the gospel is the message of the Lordship of Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20); to reject the gospel as “foolishness” is to view the Lordship of Christ in the same way
- Cannot please God – it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6); we must be willing to deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23); we cannot do this halfway; all or nothing
The Mind Set on the Spirit (Romans 8:9-11)
- The Spirit of God dwells in us – we receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” when we obey the gospel (Acts 2:38) and we enter into fellowship with Him; the Spirit dwells in us through the word (cf. Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16)
- Christ is in you – He dwells in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17); this faith is an obedient faith (James 2:14, 17-18, 26), so we follow the instructions of His word; we are alive because of righteousness, which is possible through the gospel (Romans 1:16-17) as we practice righteousness (1 John 3:4; cf. James 1:22)
- We have the hope of the resurrection – Jesus was raised from the dead to give us hope (1 Corinthians 15:20-22); we have the same hope as we obey the gospel and continue to follow Him (Romans 6:3-7)
We Are Under Obligation (Romans 8:12-13)
- The mind set on the flesh – obligation to live according to the flesh (sin); leads to death as we receive the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23)
- The mind set on the Spirit – put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 6:6, 11); we cannot claim to be living according to the Spirit and to be of Christ without submitting to Him (Luke 6:46)
Conclusion
- There is a promise for those who will set their minds on the Spirit (Romans 8:29-30)
- But are we among this group? – we are IF we do the things Paul listed in our text
- IF God’s Spirit dwells in us – we entered and remain in fellowship with God
- IF Christ is in us – we walk by faith and follow His word
- IF we live according to the Spirit – continually put to death the deeds of the body
- IF we will do these things, we have the hope of eternal life through the resurrection of Christ – but we need to set our mind on the Spirit and not the flesh
