Romans 8:5-8 (WEL) Those conforming to the flesh are interested in the things of the flesh, but those conforming to the spirit [are interested in] the things of the spirit.
6 To have a carnal mindset [is] death, but to have a spiritual mindset [is] life and peace, 7 Because the carnal mind [is] hostile to God because it does not yield to God’s law, nor indeed can it. 8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
V5 Those conforming to the flesh are interested in the things of the flesh, but those conforming to the spirit [are interested in] the things of the spirit.
There is a difference between people’s desires. Before we were Christians, we followed a different system of lifestyle—the world. Now, Christians are to follow a different system of lifestyle—the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). We have been freed from Mosaic law and freed from the sinful desires of the flesh. Where is our first love? It is ourselves or God’s. To be serious about living the Christian faith as taught in the New Testament is to have our priority in the lifestyle that is laid out in the New Testament.
Some verses related to sinful desire: Proverbs 11:6, 1 Timothy 6:9, and Ephesians 2:3 (some Christians still live their lives with the same desire for fleshly things and desires).
Some verses related to godly desire:
If our heart (soul) is godly, we will seek God’s ways. He will bless us (Psalm 37:4)
If we seek God’s kingdom first (His leadership, worldview, lifestyle, and rules), then God blesses (Matthew 6:33).
God gives us His assisting grace (Philippians 2:13).
If we live and desire God’s ways, then He blesses us in many ways, including wisdom, etc. (Psalm 34:8).
If we conform to God’s ways and kingdom, then He gives His truth, desires, and grace to live a transformed life (Romans 12:1-2).
Our priority is for our thoughts and desires to be aligned with God’s (Colossians 3:1-4).
V6 To have a carnal mindset [is] death, but to have a spiritual mindset [is] life and peace…
How do we know what is carnal or spiritual? These standards are taught in the Bible. We can be spiritually starved if we do not read and study spiritual food—the Bible.
If we do read, study, and live that spiritual food, then we will be led by God into life and peace.
V7 …Because the carnal mind [is] hostile to God because it does not yield to God’s law, nor indeed can it.
The old sin, carnal, nature is hostile to God and His ways. Our old nature is dedicated, addicted to our ways and pleasures first. It does not yield to God’s desires.
They are two different systems. The carnal is under control of the devil, his desires, his way of thinking, his lifestyle, his goals, etc. This worldview leads to hell. The spiritual is under the control of the Holy Spirit, his desires, his way of thinking, his lifestyle, his goals, etc. This worldview leads to heaven. No one can have the spiritually minded life unless they have believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The carnal mindset and actions are found in Galatians 5:19-21.
The spiritual mindset and actions are found in Galatians 5:22-23.
V8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
If a believer lives in the old fleshly sin nature, God is not pleased. He will chastise in some way. Compare Psalm 51. If one never leads the fleshly mindset, worldview, the result is hell for eternity.
We learn:
- The difference between the old sin nature and the new godly nature.
- The way to please God.
Questions:
- Are you obeying God but reading, studying, and living by God’s rules and principles?
- Which lifestyle is important to you?