The kind of mind we have will determine what kind of Christians we are.  The Bible speaks of two “minds” and we all have either one or the other.  Which one we have determines our relationship with God now, and where we will spend eternity later.  Paul refers to these two “minds” in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans.  Let us see which one we have.

First, Paul refers to the carnal or fleshly mind.  He wrote, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…” (Romans 8:5).  The word flesh often refers to the old, sinful nature, that is, the old man that we crucified when we obeyed the gospel (Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24).  The problem is the old man wants to come back to life and dominate us again, and that is what happens when we live according to the flesh.

Before one ever lives according to the flesh, he first sets his mind on the things of the flesh, and to do that is to be carnal-minded.  To set the mind on the flesh is to give in to the desires of the old man that was corrupted by sin.  Do you selfishly live your life on your terms instead of God’s terms?  If so, you have a fleshly mindset.  You cannot please God in that state of being.  In Romans 8, Paul continued with this: “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).  Do you submit to God’s law?  If so, you do not have a fleshly mindset, for if you did, you would not obey God.

The opposite of minding the things of the flesh is to mind the things of the Spirit.  That will give you the mind of the Spirit which is the second “mind” that Paul speaks of in this context.  That mindset leads to life and peace (Romans 8:6).  Now, just like there is outward evidence of one having a fleshly mindset,  there is evidence of one setting his mind on the Spirit.  That evidence is the fruit of the Spirit.  Those who mind the things of the Spirit will always bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  We cannot fake this, can we?  Either our lives consist of these things or they do not.  So, what kind of mind do you have?  If you have the mind of the Spirit, everyone will know it.  You do not have to make empty claims about it; your fruit declares it for you.

More evidence that you have the mind of the Spirit is that you think about heavenly things.  In Colossians 3:2.  Paul wrote, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).  Do you do this?  What kind of thoughts dominates your mind?  Are you more concerned about earthly things or heavenly things?  These are some of the questions that we should ask ourselves when determining what kind of mindset we have.  We all should strive to have spiritual minds that focus more on heaven and heavenly things than on earthly things.

What kind of mind do you have?  Is it spiritual or carnal?  These are important questions because the kind of mind we have determines the kind of lives that we live, and that plays a significant role in determining whether we are saved or lost.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.