MIND OF SPIRITUAL THINGS

I find it hard to believe that individuals who want us to believe we are not under law, ignore passages like Romans 8:2. In that scripture we have the wording of “law of the Spirit”. If there is a law of the Spirit and it is connected to Jesus the Christ, then you have both law and the Spirit. The law came by Moses is referring to the events at Mount Sinai, whereas, today we are under or should be under the leadership of Jesus the Christ. A favorite passage often misused is John 1:17. The law came by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Yet the passage in Romans 8: 2 speaks about the law of the Spirit. It is also called the law of Christ and the law of liberty (Gal. 6:2; James 1:25).

Those who walk after the flesh (following the law of Moses) are in sharp contrast with those who walk after the Spirit (law of the Spirit) Rom. 8:4). Those who walk after the law of Moses have their minds on that law whereas those who walk after the Spirit have their minds on things of the Spirit. Those who have obeyed the gospel have to set their affections on things above (Col. 3:2). It is a change of how one thinks about and how one acts in life after they have become Christians. Their mind is on spiritual things. They have their minds set on not being conformed to this world but by being transformed by the gospel (Rom. 12:2).

If one is carnally minded (things of the flesh-law of Moses) the end result is spiritual death. On the other hand if one’s mind is on the spiritual the result is life and peace (Rom. 8:6). The use of the words life and peace indicate something that takes place in this life. We are justified by faith and because of that justification we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Being carnally or spiritually minded is a reference to how we live our lives here on earth. Paul warned the Gentiles about trying to be saved by Moses and by Christ. If they did, they were fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4). This is not speaking about possibility of falling but rather the idea that one has fallen.

God’s efforts are trying to reach our hearts, that is the way we think about things and hence how we act. He would place His laws in the hearts and minds of those who obeyed Jesus (Heb. 8:10). Since direct knowledge of God (without studying) comes directly from God, we know this is not how God operates today (I Cor. 13:8). We are to study and therefore rightly divide what God has revealed (2 Tim. 2:15). Those who follow Christ will be satisfied. Satisfied with what? Jesus said those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matt. 5:6). The mind is on being righteous. By way of example, the Christian finds a list of things he is to fill his mind with as his study increases (Phil. 4:8).

In the same setting of Philippians 4 we find likewise that God gives peace which passes understanding (Phil. 4:7). We know the things that we receive from God (1 Cor. 2:12,13). God is able to do more than we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). Because we are the workmanship of God, the idea is that our mind is not on things of this earth but spiritual things (Eph. 2:10; Col. 3:2). Our minds will be filled either with the wisdom of this world or the wisdom that comes from God (James 3: 13-17). It is our choice about which wisdom appeals to us and which one makes more sense. Satan is the father of lies and never has our best interest at heart (John 8:44). Jesus on the other hand has come that we might have life more abundantly (John 10:10).

That abundance of life is based on our willing to listen to the voice of Jesus by means of the written Word (John 10:3). By definition, wisdom is the application of knowledge. If a person fills their mind with the knowledge of this world the wisdom then would be earthly, sensual and devilish (James 3: 15). If our minds are filled by the knowledge of God from His Word then our minds will be on spiritual things. All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).