Romans 8:5,6

Introduction

We are in a life-long battle with our flesh,
we must engage with a life-long battle in our minds

I. The Battle in Our Flesh
v.5 - “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh”
People do not think themselves into the way they act but act themselves into the way they think.

There are five truths that will never happen to the flesh:
1) The flesh cannot be changed.

2) The flesh cannot be reformed.

3) The flesh can never be trained.

4) The flesh cannot be improved.

5) The flesh cannot be reconciled to God.

The life once dominated by the flesh, is now to be dominated by the Spirit!

II. The Battle in the Believer
v.5b – “but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for they are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16,17

We are called not to make any provision for the flesh.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to its desires.”
Romans 13:14

We have to be diligent and set our minds on the Spirit because if we don’t we can become ‘fleshy’ or controlled by the flesh.
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ…” 1 Corinthians 3:1

Mature believers have crucified and cleanse themselves from the flesh.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

III. Set Your Mind
v.6 – “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Set the mind on the Spirit - More literally - “the mind possessed by the Spirit”. This describes a mind which is controlled by or dominated by the Holy Spirit

Life – zoe - means the absolute fullness of life which alone belongs to God the Giver of life. This is life as God originally intended it to be lived a fully satisfied existence.

Peace – eirene - inward harmony and tranquility that results from yielding to God. If the interests of one's mind are placed on the things of the Spirit of God, there is a peace in this life that passes all understanding!