Mind on Flesh vs. Mind on Spirit

November 22nd, 2024
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Romans 8:5 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.

Of interest in 8:5 is that those who “live according to the flesh,” by default, fail to “walk according to the Spirit.” The fulfillment of the law “in Christ” has not been accomplished in them, so they “set their minds on the things of the flesh.” In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul provides commentary for this issue: “…the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these… those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These 15 words describe those without the Spirit.

The first three terms that describe those who live according to the flesh in Galatians 5:19 are of a sexual nature. “Sexual immorality” (Gr. porneia) is a general term for every kind of extramarital or unnatural sex act. “Impurity” is literally “worthless material,” used for waste and decayed flesh found in graves but also used in reference to moral and sexual impurity. A third term used is “sensuality” which is lustful and sexual indulgence without restraint. All three terms point to the selfish desires of the flesh, and all are opposed to the desires of the Spirit.

Next, Paul lists “idolatry,” a term often used in link with sexual sin, yet Paul also defines “greed” as a form of idolatry in Colossians 3:5. “Sorcery” (Gr. pharmakos; English pharmacy) was a word was used for black magic and mind-altering party drugs used while practicing witchcraft in Paul’s day. People’s use of sorcery was to move outside of normal behavior while seeking mystical experiences or talking to the dead. Next, “enmity” means “animosity; hatred.” It signifies both as an inner disposition of hostility toward something/someone and an objective opposition that eventually manifests itself in the next term Paul uses: “strife.” Strife concerns outward discord and quarrels among people (e.g., arguments, gossip) fueled by enmity within.

Other traits of those who walk according to the flesh in Galatians 5:20-21 are “jealousy”—an internal envy of others that breeds hostility resulting in strife which leads to “fits of anger”—a phrase based upon one Greek word, synonymous with “anger” or “wrath.” This of course leads to “rivalries”—also translated “selfish ambition,” for selfishness is what leads to rivalries in the first place. James said as much: “For where jealousy and rivalries (selfish ambition) exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (3:16). One of those evil things is “dissensions”—disunity or division. Paul later tells the Romans to stay completely away from those who cause dissensions (16:17). Then Paul uses a similar term, “divisions” (Gr. heresy) to denote those void of the Spirit. This word speaks of separatist groups that form as a result of jealousy and disunity whereby one group leaves the mainstream strictly for selfish purposes based upon false piety and “envy”—the jealousy that stems from the success of the group left behind in the division of dissension. All of these words clearly indicate what Jesus Himself said, namely, that murder begins with hatred (Matt. 5:21-22). Each of these terms are the root that bears the rotten fruit of wrath and murder.

The final two terms Paul uses to denote those led by the flesh are “drunkenness and orgies.” The former speaks of any kind of mind-altering intoxication related to drugs (Gr. methai), and the latter term was originally used for the festive procession in honor of the god of wine. In the NT it concerns sexual revelry and excessive feasting associated with the sinful flesh.

Food for Thought

The words that describe wicked human behavior are sickening. More sickening are the self-professed Christians who practice these. True salvation, however, is seen in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), not the rotten fruits of the flesh. Our actions certainly prove who we belong to.