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".
This indwelling Spirit brings life. Verse 10 acknowledges that our physical bodies are still subject to decay and death because of sin, but our inner person, our spirit, "is life because of righteousness". We are spiritually alive in Christ!
And there is a glorious future hope! Verse 11 promises: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you". The very same power that conquered the grave and brought Jesus back to life now lives in you and me. This is our guarantee of a future resurrection. Because of the Spirit, we have life now and the promise of ultimate life to come.
III. The Christian's Obligation (vv. 12-13)
Because the Spirit lives in us, our relationship with our old sinful nature has been radically changed. This leads to a practical responsibility.
A. No Debt to the Flesh (v. 12)
Paul declares in verse 12, "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh". In our culture, we understand utang na loob or a debt of gratitude. Paul is saying that we have been freed from our debt to sin, so we have no obligation (utang) to serve it any longer. We are not slaves who must obey every whim and craving of our fallen nature. We have been set free.
B. A Duty to Mortify (v. 13)
Instead of being debtors to the flesh, we have a new responsibility. Verse 13 presents a life-or-death choice: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live".
To "mortify" means to put to death. It is an active, ongoing process. But notice how we are to do this: "through the Spirit". This is not about gritting your teeth and trying harder in your own strength. It is about actively partnering with the Holy Spirit who lives in you. How do we do this?
1. Recognize and Confess: You must be honest about the specific sins in your life. Name them before God. The envy, the anger, the gossip, the laziness, the lust.
2. Repent and Turn: Make a conscious, deliberate choice to turn away from that sin and turn toward God.
3. Feed the Spirit: If you want to kill a weed, you stop watering it. If you want to kill the deeds of the flesh, stop feeding them. Starve the flesh and feed the Spirit. How?
4. By immersing yourself in God's Word: Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path".
5. Through constant Prayer: Talk to God about your struggles and ask for His empowering help.
6. Through Worship: Shift your focus from yourself and your problems onto the greatness of God.
7. Through Fellowship: Draw strength and encouragement from your brothers and sisters in Christ.
8. Obey Promptly: When the Spirit prompts you to do good or flee from evil, do it immediately. Obedience strengthens the Spirit's influence and weakens the flesh's grip.
Conclusion
Church, our mindset is the battlefield for our spiritual lives. To be carnally minded leads to death. To be spiritually minded leads to life and peace. Here in Metro Manila, with all its pressures and temptations, we must make a daily, even moment-by-moment, choice to set our minds on the things of the Spirit.
This is not a life of passive coasting but of active dependence on the Holy Spirit. He is not a distant force; He is a present person living in every believer, empowering us to fight sin and live a life that pleases God. Let us tap into the divine power He has given us!
This morning, I ask you to examine your own heart. What is the dominant mindset in your life right now? Is it the flesh or the Spirit? Where are your thoughts focused? If you see that your mind is still inclined toward the flesh, do not despair. Today is the day to repent and turn to God. Ask Him for the power of His Holy Spirit to shift your focus and transform your mind.
