Romans 8:5-6 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.… I. THE MARKS OF THE CARNALLY MINDED. 1. They "mind the things of the flesh." The "flesh" is the body, man's animal nature, the seat of sensual appetite and passion. It is through the organs and the senses of the flesh that we engage in the activities of the world, and participate in its enjoyments or sorrows. "The things of the flesh," therefore, are all the things of this present life, apart from any connection with that which is unseen and eternal. These are summed up in chap. Romans 1, as "the creature," which is worshipped and served rather than the Creator. They are spoken of by John as "all that is in the world" (1 John 2:15, 16). This "all" is further defined as "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" — covetousness, sensuality, and ambition. To "mind" these things is to think a great deal about them, to set our affections upon them, and to satisfy our souls with their possession (Luke 12:16-20). (1) The things of the flesh may be guiltily minded, even when the objects of our pursuit are such as may be lawfully desired. Who can complain of our addicting ourselves honestly to the toils of business, or enjoying in moderation the pleasures of the table and the home? To the Christian man they are blessings and means of holiness; to the carnally minded they are curses and snares. (2) It is not necessary to mind all the things of the flesh in order to be carnally minded. There may be pursuits and pleasures which you hate; but if there be others in which you immerse yourself, it is enough to stamp you as a carnal man. You need not sail on every sea to be a voyager on the water; and so you need not follow after every wickedness to be a child of the devil. (3) Carnally mindedness refers not to occasional impulses or feelings, but to the habitual bent and disposition of the soul. The carnal man may be, at times, the subject of good desires, and may form good resolutions; while the spiritual man may often have to struggle with the lusts of the flesh, and be for a moment cast down by them. Our real character may be determined by — (a) Our secret meditations (Proverbs 23:7). (b) The crises of our history. There are times which compel us to show whether we love God or the world most. (c) The practical outgrowth of our principles and disposition. We are known by our fruits (1 John 3:7, 10). 2. "To be carnally minded is death."(1) Their present state is one of death. The soul is devoid of those affections, experiences, joys, in which the true life of a spirit consists. (2) Hence their doom in the future is to be banished from God forever. They sow to the flesh, and of the flesh reap corruption. This is the "second death." 3. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." True, there may be no full consciousness of this, but still it is there ready to be brought out when occasion arises. A man may hate his neighbour and yet not discover his resentment for years; but at length that neighbour may confront him in some such form as shall instantly bring it out. 4. "It is not subject to His law, neither indeed can it be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." And why? Because they are still unforgiven as to past offences; and because also, in all seeming goodness, there is the total lack of a true and acceptable purpose. II. THE MARKS OF THE SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 1. They mind the things of the Spirit. (1) The things which He has revealed, or the spiritual gifts which He has imparted — all that concerns us spiritually and in relation to eternity, in contradistinction from all that concerns us only materially and temporally (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). (2) All the joys, states, and experiences of our spiritual nature which are produced within us by the realising contemplation of those sublime and enduring realities. Justification, forgiveness, the sense of that forgiveness, sanctification, advancement in the knowledge of God, the peculiar privileges of Divine sonship, together with all the gladdening prospects of ultimate glory. 2. He who minds the things of the Spirit shows it by making constant efforts to acquire them. He takes pleasure in meditating upon them, in conversing about them, and in listening when others describe them. Then he must needs read about them in the Word of God, and must be frequently found in closest communion with God. "To be spiritually minded is life and peace."(1) It is "life," inasmuch as it quickens the soul in its nobles attributes, awakens it to its highest functions, and fills it with its purest pleasures. Not to be spiritually minded leaves the mind of man but partially developed, and shuts up its most Godlike faculties in darkness, torpor, and neglect. (2) Must not such a state be one of "peace"? The carnal mind can have no peace. It is troubled from both within and without. (T. G. Horton.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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