For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God;
for it does not subject itself to the law of God,
for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Romans 8:5-9
Those who are according to the flesh (unbelievers) set their mind on the things of the flesh (worldly things). BUT those according to the Spirit (believers) set their mind on the things of the Spirit (heavenly matters).
Man, that's pretty convicting for me. What are my thoughts consumed with? Often I focus on me, my problems and worries, the things that make me happy- some pretty worldly perspectives. But as a believer, my mind is to be fixed on my Savior and how I can please Him.
For the mind set on flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God.
This couldn't be more true. When I'm focused on the things of the flesh, I feel empty, lost, overwhelmed with doubt because my worldly focus ends in death and in that moment, I'm not living like God is in control. So, when I change my thoughts to things of the Spirit, I remember life and peace: things that only come from Christ and His words. When I am in God's word, I feel a peace like I cannot feel in any other circumstance. I'm no longer focusing on myself and how I can better myself, but changing those thoughts to how BIG our God is and how He is the only one who can change me when I'm surrendered to Him.
for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
How scary is that statement? those who are in the flesh cannot please God. If I hadn't trusted Christ as my Savior, I could try my best to please Him, but it's impossible! All efforts of pleasing God are futile if one does not know Him.
I'm really not that much of a people-pleaser, I couldn't care less about what some people thought of me. But, if I hold someone in high regard, I care more than anything about pleasing them: my parents, those in leadership over me, most of my friends, ect. In the same way, I want my life to be a burnt offering to Him, a soothing aroma, something that is pleasing to Him. I want to make Him happy with the way that I go about things. So, I must subject myself to the law of God. He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trust in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Because the Spirit of God dwells in me, I belong to Him, I am not in the flesh, so things would be counteractive to have my mind set on the flesh. My selfish thoughts are not beneficial, they leave me feeling empty and if that's the case, why wouldn't I focus on the Creator? He walks with me through my problems, I can rest in Him and feel comfort.
Lord,
Help me change my thoughts: To focus on You- God, You are bigger than I can fathom. You're holding the world in Your hands. Help me focus on what You want from me to have me be pleasing to You. Help me surrender my ways to You, today and everyday. It's such a simple concept, but I often want control. Mold me and break me if that's what it takes, so that I can rest in You.
