Carnally Minded Or Spiritually Minded
Tom Harding

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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Rom. 8:5-6).

Paul in these God-inspired words draws a sharp contrast between believers in Christ and no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and unbelievers condemned in their sins. These two distinctions divide the whole human race in two groups, those justified in Christ (Rom. 3:24) and those condemned in Adam and spiritually dead in sin (Rom. 5:12). The description of the, “carnally minded” is death and eternal condemnation. They are described as those that have no faith in Christ, but rather trusting themselves that they are righteous (Luke 16:15; 18:9). The carnal mind is described as those who are at, “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7), described as those who cannot satisfy the holy law of God (Rom. 3:19), described as those that, “cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8).

However, the description of the “spiritually minded” is much different, “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:20-21). Described as sinners, “who walk after the spirit” are those quickened together with Christ (Eph. 2:1-6; 2Cor. 5:17; 2Pet. 1:4). They are described as those that see all of their salvation accomplished by Christ (Rom. 5:8-9; 5:9-21; 8:3), who have righteousness fulfilled in them by Christ, (Rom.4:6 8:4), who live by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:28) and in Christ are well pleasing unto God (Eph. 1:6; Heb. 11:6). Those who are reconciled to God in Christ are no longer at enmity, nor against God (2Cor. 5:17-21), but have submitted themselves unto God (Rom. 10:3-4) and who have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them (John 16:13-15; Rom. 8:9-10; Col. 1:27).

Now you can plainly see the vast difference between those who, “walk after the flesh” and those who, “walk after the spirit.” Now the important question of the moment is this, which way are you walking? By faith or flesh, by grace or works, mercy or merit, propitiation or pride, Christ or ceremony, truth or tradition, redemption or ritual, righteousness established by Christ or religion established by man! To walk in the flesh is death (Proverbs 14:12). To walk in the Spirit is life and peace in Christ (Rom. 1:16-17). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).