We Have Been Changed

Romans 8:5-11

WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED

February 15, 2026

The Bible is clear in its teaching that how a man thinks determines what manner of man he really is, Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." The mind is a very important thing! Whatever a man focuses his mind upon is what that man reproduces in his life! Think evil thoughts and produce evil actions. Think godly thoughts and produce godly action. That is why the Word of God is so clear when it speaks about the change that is needed in the minds of men. Notice Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." And Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" The changes that the Spirit produces in the mind and the resulting changes in every area of life are the focus of this passage.

I. V. 5-7 WE HAVE A CHANGED MIND - The first thing Paul addresses is the contrast that exists between the natural mind of man and a mind that has been transformed by the Spirit of God. He teaches that the carnal mind focuses on the physical, material and other selfish concerns. It may think about religion, but it will be a religion based in what he can do for himself. There may be thoughts about God, but that will be thoughts about how to approach God on his own terms. Generally, however, the carnal mind is filled with thoughts that center around ways to gratify the flesh. But, what a change is manifested in the lives of those who have been redeemed! While the saved do falter from time to time, their minds are filled with thoughts of heavenly things. These are people who love God and all the things that pertain to Him. They love His Word, His people, His house, His worship, etc. The Spirit of God redirects the thinking of those redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Paul teaches that to have a carnal mind means you are lost and dead, Ephesians 2:1. It is a genuine indicator of the state of the soul, Colossians 3:1 says we must set our minds on things above and not beneath! While the primary focus of this verse is the here and now, the future is also in view! To possess a carnal mind means that you are lost in sin and will eventually find yourself in Hell forever separated from God. On the other hand, to be controlled by the Spirit is evidence of an eternity that will be filled with life and peace! Paul tells us that the carnal mind is really the enemy of God. The carnal mind is bent on the overthrow of God and is determined to enthrone itself as God in the unbeliever's life. As a result, it refuses to walk in the will of God. In truth, the carnal mind is so filled with evil that it cannot walk in the will of God. The lost, carnal mind is totally opposed everything having to do with God. What may appear good in the life of a lost person is still tainted by the sin in his heart. His motives and his sin tarnish all that he does. Even on his best day, he is still God's sworn enemy! The flesh is strong, but the Spirit of God within us is stronger, 1 John 4:4. Therefore, we must prove the reality of our claims of salvation by living a life that is devoted to the Lord God and His perfect will!

II. V. 8-9 WE HAVE A CHANGED MOTIVE - Our new motive is to please God! - Those who are controlled by the flesh, who live for the flesh, who walk in the flesh and who have their minds centered on the flesh simply cannot please the Lord God! They are so far removed from all that God is that they cannot possibly please Him. According to the Bible, Hebrews 11:6, the only way to please the Lord is by exercising faith. This means that what the Spirit produced in man cannot be duplicated by the flesh! Since the flesh cannot produce that which is spiritual, it stands to reason that the flesh cannot please the Lord. My motive to please God is not for the prize of salvation, I am already saved! My motive to please God is based on the fact that I am grateful for what He has already done! Paul teaches that we are no longer in the flesh, but we are in the Spirit! – Now Paul contrasts what he has been saying with those who have been saved. He is telling us that when we received Jesus as our Savior, we changed realms of existence. We were taken out of the flesh life and placed into a new life in the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13. Therefore, we are placed in a position from which we can serve the Lord and live lives that are pleasing to Him. We are no longer what we were, but now we are literally a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, in the Lord Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Verse 9 tells us that the believer will demonstrate the reality of his new birth by exhibiting the Spirit of Christ! While this verse speaks to the new life the believer should live in Jesus, it is also a reminder to us that we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. When you are saved immediately you have the Holy Spirit in you!