Thought of the Flesh is Death; Thought of the Spirit is Life and Peace
Romans 8:6
Jaison Chacko
Life or death is the Key factor of human existence. God gave life go man and other creations. But satan caused sin and it resulted in death. Death is not leaving human body to live with God in Heaven , it is departing from God and every blessing and be cursed to suffer all consequences and punishment of sin and ultimately fall in everlasting hell.
John 10: 10
” The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; but I have come to give life and life in abundance ” Jesus
Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the source of all life. But satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.
Our thought is the root from which either life or death evolves. If our thought is coming from the Holy Spirit, it gives life to us and others. If our thought is originating from the flesh, it is from satan and evil and the result is death. Death may be experienced, at first aa lack of joy, and peace or irrigation.
Kingdom of God is not gloom or unhappiness. It is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
In everyone is joyful and happy. But in hell, only terrible pain, cries, curse and grinding of teeth.
Every sin is starting as a thought. Satan gives suggestions to do evil all the time, aa he persuaded Judas to betray Jesus and later to commit suicide.
Where as Holy Spirit leads us to do Gods Will, which is good, acceptable and perfect, which gives life. The more we obey the Spirit, the more we get Divine life and peace. read the following chapter,
Romans 8: 1- 31
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered
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27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Flesh vs. Spirit.
Romans 8:6 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible, and it speaks about the contrast between two different ways of thinking: the “thoughts of the flesh” and the “thoughts of the Spirit.”
The “thoughts of the flesh” refer to the way of thinking that is based on our human desires and impulses. This way of thinking is often focused on satisfying our immediate needs and pleasures, without much regard for the long-term consequences or for the needs of others. This kind of thinking is characterized by selfishness, greed, lust, and other harmful attitudes.
On the other hand, the “thoughts of the Spirit” refer to the way of thinking that is based on the guidance and inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. This way of thinking is characterized by selflessness, compassion, and a desire to live in accordance with God’s will. The Spirit’s thoughts lead us towards actions that promote life, peace, and love.
The verse goes on to say that “the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” In other words, when we allow our thoughts to be guided by our own desires and impulses, we are headed towards spiritual death and separation from God. But when we allow our thoughts to be guided by the Holy Spirit, we experience true life and peace in a relationship with God and man.
Thise who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God ( Rom 8:14)
Romans 8:6 is the key verse which explains the contrast between living in the flesh versus living in the Spirit. This section teaches that those who live in the flesh are under the control of their sinful nature, while those who live in the Spirit are under the control of the Holy Spirit. The consequences of these two ways of living are quite opposite, life or death, Heaven or hell.
Living according to the flesh leads to death because it ultimately separates us from God, who is the source of all life. Our natural desires and impulses often lead us towards actions that are contrary to God’s will, and this results in spiritual death. Moreover, living in the flesh can lead to destructive behaviors that harm ourselves and others, such as addiction, violence, greed , sexual abuse, rape , robbery.
On the other hand, living according to the Spirit leads to life and peace because it enables us to live in harmony with God’s will. The Holy Spirit guides us towards actions that promote love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which are the fruits of the Spirit mentioned earlier in Romans 8. By following the Spirit’s guidance, we can experience the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10).
Therefore, the thoughts of the flesh and the thoughts of the Spirit represent two different mindsets that we adopt each time. The mindset of the flesh is focused on self-gratification and temporal pleasure, while the mindset of the Spirit is focused on eternal values and God’s purposes. The mindset of the flesh leads to death, while the mindset of the Spirit leads to life and peace.
As Christians, we are called to live according to the Spirit and to renew our minds so that we can discern God’s will (Romans 12:2). This requires a deliberate effort to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and to resist the temptations of the flesh. By doing so, we can experience the transformation that comes from a renewed mind and a Spirit-led life.
your thoughts give life, your thought gives death, so you have the choice, to think in the flesh or think in the Spirit. So the result will be either life or death.
If we obey the flesh we will die, but if by the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the flesh, we will live.
Our thoughts are the seeds that we plant in our minds, and they have the power to shape our attitudes, emotions, and actions. When we entertain negative, destructive, or selfish thoughts, we are sowing seeds of death that can eventually lead to spiritual, emotional, and even physical death. vOn the other hand, when we cultivate positive, life-giving, and Spirit-led thoughts, we are sowing seeds of life that can bring about growth, healing, and transformation.
In conclusion, the choice to think in the flesh or think in the Spirit is a critical one that can have a profound impact on our lives. Our thoughts have the power to give life or give death, so we need to choose life,God has given us the choice to choose life or death.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
