What's Your Mind-Set?

⁵ For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
-Romans 8:5-9 (HCSB)


As we start this brand new day, this brand new work week, we must take a look at where our thought pattern is. Why? Because where our thought pattern is, that is the way we live our life. That is what Paul is illustrating to us here in these verses. Let's dig in.


Verse 5 says, "For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit." Paul is revealing to us two different lifestyles. He is looking at the life of those who live in the world, and those who live for Christ. He says "For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh," In other words, those who live according to the world, think about the things of the world. Paul goes on in verses 6-8 to teach us more about living life in the world. Look at what he says, "For the mind-set of the flesh is death...For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God's law, for it is unable to do so...Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Those are some really negative things about living life in the world.


Paul also reveals to us things of the life lived in the Spirit. Verse 9 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit since the Spirit of God lives in you." Paul is talking about the Christians here, those who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. We are no longer living in the flesh, we are no longer living for the world. Therefore, we think about the things of God,  our mind-set is life and peace, and we please God in our lives. 


Friends, I must ask this question. Which one is more like your mind-set? Is your mind constantly on the things of this world, or does your mind focus on the things of God? Think About It.