Romans 8:6 (NASB)

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Verse of the Day

Bible Commentary

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are perfect. We still have battles of our old sinful nature. Christ died for our sins, but once we have accepted Him as our Savior, we are forgiven for our sins. But we still live in an imperfect fleshly body with an imperfect heart and mind.

In Romans 8:6, Paul is not talking about our everyday physical and emotional needs when he says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death.” He is speaking about our mind being focused on sinful desires.

Once we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. He speaks to us in gentle whispers and nudges, but if we are focused on the temporary gratification our fleshly desires bring, we ignore the leading of the Spirit for the temporary satisfaction of the flesh.

New Life

By ignoring the Holy Spirit, we stunt our growth as Christians and therefore, there is no evidence of our new life. We are falling back into our old sinful habits and not springing forward into our new life in Christ.

But all that can change by simply setting our mind on the Spirit. Romans 8:6 says, “…but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

What does setting our mind on the spirit mean? It means to let our minds be influenced and dominated by the Holy Spirit. No longer ignoring His leading, but resisting our old flesh and getting in harmony with God in our thoughts and actions.

If we make Christ the center of everything we are and do, we will have a satisfying, meaningful life and be at peace even in the most challenging of times.

Study Romans 8:6, and let the Holy Spirit lead your thoughts, so you can resist the old sinful nature and live in harmony with God.