(Rom 8:5Rom 8:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 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.
WP-Bible plugin) “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.”
There is a verse in the book of Proverbs that starts out, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…” (Pro 23:7Pro 23:7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
WP-Bible plugin). This takes away any excuse of randomness in my actions. In other words, the things that I do are the direct result of a process that begins in my mind. The word “are” in Romans 8:5Romans 8:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 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.
WP-Bible plugin refers to my walk, my lifestyle, my ways. It is in the Present tense so it points to the life I am living right now. I am living the way I am living as a result of the way I am thinking. If I pursue the “things of the flesh” (Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: – Gal 5:20-21Gal 5:20-21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
WP-Bible plugin) it is because my mind is absorbed with thoughts that are centered in the flesh. If I pursue the “things of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: – Gal 5:22-23Gal 5:22-23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
WP-Bible plugin) it is because my mind is centered on Christ and He is my source.
I have to constantly re-evaluate what I value. I have to continually check my priorities. I have to live in the awareness of what I am pursuing. The world tries to lull us to sleep so that we live a life in a semi-conscious state only to wake up one day in realization that we wasted time and disregarded the opportunities of the Spirit. This spiritual battle of a conscious pursuit of God is the struggle between flesh and spirit. The stakes are life and death: will my Christian life resemble spiritual life or death?
I have to constantly be aware of the environment and those who I pursue in fellowship. If my environment is characterized by the works of the flesh or those surrounding me are living according to the flesh, I have to re-prioritize and evaluate whether I need to change my environment. Many churches believe they are only centered in Christ and only preach the Word of God, but when you get inside the door, there is only strife, wrath and division. This is not healthy. This is not the mind of the Spirit. Where there is no peace, longsuffering, gentleness, or meekness, there is not a true work of the Spirit. Again, the stakes are life and death: will I live a resurrection-powered life or will I live a life that mirrors who I was before I came to Christ?
Renewed Thought – Lord, give me the strength and focus to re-evaluate my values and priorities today. Root out those things that are not centered on You. Root out those relationships that draw my mind away from You. Be the Source of my strength and every thought.
