Lifted Vision Ministry

– Romans 8:6 KJV –
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Hello beautiful people of the world! Today, let’s dive into Romans 8 as we consider the difference between being “carnally minded” and “spiritually minded.” What’s the difference between these two ways of life and why is this relevant today? Well, I believe if we can grasp this one truth from the Word of God, that our lives can be radically changed and we can experience freedom from negative thought patterns and behavioral patterns too. Who wants to be free from themselves and others?! I believe deep down we all do, and the answer can be found in Jesus! Instead of choosing negative outcomes for our lives by default, we can choose God’s outcomes which gives us freedom and the ability to enjoy our lives to the fullest! Let’s take a look at how all of this is possible through Jesus! Without further ado, let’s jump in!

Romans 8 gives a clear and quite literal definition of what it means to be both carnally minded and spiritually minded.

Carnally minded = death
Spiritually minded = life and peace

The writer of this passage of scripture knew this truth more than anyone else, as he had known what it was like to live after both ways. The carnal way and the spiritual way. His name was Saul, and he was a Christian-killer before meeting Jesus. Saul had a rough past and was a greatly feared man; he was widely known for ripping Christians out of their homes, putting them on trial, accusing them of following Jesus, and then arranging and facilitating their executions. Saul used to heavily persecute Christians and was actually a prosecuting attorney for the government at that time; it was literally his job to oppress Christians! He was very good at his job as well; due to this he was infamously known for his blood-thirsty ways among Christians and non-Christians alike.

– Romans 8:5 KJV –
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Saul wasn’t walking in his God-giving calling or after the Spirit at all. He was sinning by murdering, lying and destroying God’s people. Being carnally minded is simply being driven by sin. What are some things that happen if you choose to think with your carnal mind? Well, you can be driven by anger, lust, gluttony, uncontrolled and disordered passions, indifference and lack of self-control; just to name a few. When you are the one being driven by something, it controls you. When you give up the driver’s seat of your life and choose to be a passenger, you let sin rule you and reign in your body. When you are the one being controlled by something that is evil and what the Bible literally calls death, it is truly impossible in that state to live a happy and fulfilled life. Sin brings death. But what does living spiritually minded bring?

– Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV-
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The opposite of the carnal mindset is to have the exact mindset of the Holy Spirit. Choosing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit brings life and peace.

So how do we do it??? Firstly, you must have a relationship with Jesus. This includes talking with Him, reading His words, believing He is who He said He is, He does what He says He does and doing life together with Him daily. Thinking on Him at all times and trusting Him with your life. Second, you must realize that giving up sin is completely possible with God’s help. Pray for this realization and pray against any lies or false mindsets you may have believed in the past. These may include: “I can’t do XXX” or “I’ll never XXX” or “It’s impossible for me to XXX.” These are lies as God’s word says, with God all things are possible!

– Matthew 19: 26 NIV –
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Lastly, to have real change in an area of your life it isn’t just about turning away from something you want, and then doing something you don’t want. That won’t work. Living spiritually minded is more than simple behavior modification. Seeking God and giving up sin is turning away from something your flesh wants and seeking instead something your spirit wants. The answer isn’t in “doing less sin through willpower.” The answer is in adding more of Jesus. Seeking Jesus over sin. Seeking Jesus over anything! Putting Jesus first in your heart and in your actions. I implore you, brothers and sisters, exchange your carnal thoughts that only bring death to you for God’s perfect thoughts which give you life and peace. You can be carnally minded or spiritually minded; the choice is yours and only you can make those choices for yourself. Free yourself from yourself by choosing Jesus!

– Galatians 5: 16-18 –
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

After Saul had a radical encounter with Jesus, his life completely changed. He was able to think with spiritual thoughts from the Holy Spirit, and was able to stop murdering Christians all together. Actually, he was able to save many lives by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ! Since he wrote most of the New Testament we have today, Christians are still being saved and encouraged through his obedience to God and choosing to be spirituall back then. He choose to be spiritually minded and talks all throughout the New Testament about how before he was doing life all wrong and couldn’t find any satisfaction in his ways. After choosing to live by the Spirit and being spiritually minded, Saul talks about having joy and peace unspeakable. It is my desire that all of us today would experience that same peace and joy that is still available to us through Jesus Christ today. I will leave you with this promise from God’s word:

– Isaiah 26:3 NLT –
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!