May 17, 2020 · Romans 8:5–8

Resurrection Righteousness

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

“Those living according to the flesh — with their mind on the flesh. And those who are living according to the Spirit — with their mind on the Spirit. Now — the biblical word flesh doesn't just mean body. It's more of a powerful spiritual thing that's going on in the flesh. It's the sinful nature. The body was made good. But the flesh is when I allow the body to begin to dictate all my actions. The flesh is the body gone wrong — lust — gluttony. We know when these things happen. If I eat all the cheesecake — it's not good. If you act on every lustful desire — it's going to destroy your heart and the hearts of others. The flesh is when the fall of Adam is let loose in our bodies. Flesh equals death — Spirit equals life and peace. Flesh is hostile to God — lacking submission — unable to please God. I don't know about you — but this is what frustrates me a lot of the time. … There's this battle in me between the flesh and the Spirit. And I am told to have my mind set — to have an attitude towards life. To place my heart and my mind and my soul towards life.”