Mindset Matters Series

Mindset Matters: Walking in the Spirit

Series: Living in the Spirit - A Journey Through Romans 8

Introduction

Last week, we began our journey through Romans 8 by standing on the peak of a glorious mountain of truth. After trudging through the valley of Romans 7, where the Apostle Paul cried out in despair over his struggle with sin, we arrived at the declaration of Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus". What a relief! The weight of guilt is lifted, the gavel of judgment is silenced, and we are declared free in Christ Jesus.

But what does this freedom look like on a Monday morning in traffic? Or a Wednesday afternoon at work when pressure is mounting? This freedom is not a license to do whatever we want; it is an invitation to live an entirely new kind of life, empowered by a new source.

This brings us to our text today. If there is no condemnation, how then shall we live? Paul answers that question by showing us that our inner world—our mindset—is critically important. Our sermon today is titled, "Mindset Matters: Walking in the Spirit." And here is the central idea we will explore: Our spiritual focus—whether it is set on the flesh or on the Spirit—determines our state of life and our relationship with God.

I. Two Ways of Living: The Carnal vs. The Spiritual (vv. 5-8)

Paul lays out two distinct, opposing ways to live. There is no middle ground; every one of us is walking on one of these two paths, guided by one of two mindsets.

A. The Carnal Mind

First, he describes the life lived "after the flesh." Verse 5 says, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh..."

1. Its Focus: The word "flesh" here (sarx in Greek) does not mean our physical body; it refers to our fallen, sinful human nature that is inherently self-centered and opposed to God. To "mind the things of the flesh" is to have your thoughts, ambitions, and desires consumed by things that gratify the self apart from God. This includes the obvious sins, but also the more subtle ones: the obsession with social media likes, the drive for power at the office, the burning anger you feel in traffic, the envy that consumes you when a neighbor succeeds, or living for material possessions. It is a life lived according to the world’s operating system.

2. Its Outcome: The result of this mindset is stark and severe. Verse 6 states plainly, "For to be carnally minded is death". This is not merely physical death but a spiritual deadness—a separation from God, who is the very source of life. Why? Verses 7 and 8 provide the diagnosis: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God". Notice the powerful word: "enmity." This is not neutrality; it is active hostility. The mind set on the flesh is at war with God and is fundamentally incapable of pleasing Him.

B. The Spiritual Mind

In beautiful contrast, Paul presents the life lived "after the Spirit." He continues in verse 5, "...but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit".

1. Its Focus: This is a life oriented around what the Holy Spirit desires. What are these things? It is a deep desire for obedience to God, a hunger for His righteousness found in His Word, a love for serving others, and the cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

2. Its Outcome: The result is the complete opposite of death. Verse 6 proclaims, "...but to be spiritually minded is life and peace". This is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of God's shalom—a comprehensive well-being, a wholeness that settles your soul, even when the world around you is in turmoil.

II. The Indwelling Spirit: The Defining Mark (vv. 9-11)

So, how do we know which path we are on? How do we move from the carnal to the spiritual? Paul clarifies that the defining mark of a true Christian is the personal, permanent presence of the Holy Spirit.

He says in verse 9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you". This isn't about a feeling you have to conjure up; it is a fact. If you are in Christ, the Spirit of God lives in you. Think of it like a passport. A Philippine passport proves you are a citizen of this country. The Holy Spirit is our spiritual passport—the proof that we are citizens of the kingdom of God. Paul then gives a sobering, non-negotiable truth: "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his".