THE SPIRITUAL MIND But To Be Spiritually Minded

THE SPIRITUAL MIND “…. . But To Be Spiritually Minded Is Life And Peace” (Ro. 8: 6). 2/24/2021 1

n n n There is nothing more challenging for the Christian the maintaining of a spiritual mind in the midst of a world that has a carnal mind-set. In a world that lies in darkness 1 Jo. 5: 19, It is difficult to shine as lights on a hill. Within the mind of man there is an awesome battleground. Every day moral and spiritual battles are being fought. Paul takes us behind the scene: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6: 12). 2/24/2021 2

All of this relates to the inner man: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. . . " (Galatians 5: 17). n We must never drop our guard, or grow weary in well doing. n The flesh, even though it has been crucified, is always trying to run your life. n It wants to lead us into sin. n Satan sets enticing traps in attempts to turn us away from God. n 2/24/2021 3

James wrote: "But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death? (James 1: 14, 15). n Only a strong spiritual mind can find a way of escape in every temptation (cf. I Corinthians 10: 13). n Christians must be able to discern what is really going on in their world. n 2/24/2021 4

n According to Paul one of the goals of the spiritual man is "comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolish unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual discerneth all things, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2: 13 -15). 2/24/2021 5

SPIRITUAL MIND n The word spiritual is a very challenging word to define. W. E. Vine defines the Greek word (pneumatikos) for spiritual as: "Always denotes the idea of invisibility and of power. . . things that have their origin in God and which, therefore, are in harmony with His character. . . pertaining to the Spirit. " A spiritual mind, therefore, is the mind of Christ. A spiritual person is a Christ-like person (i. e. , a Christian). 2/24/2021 6

n The spiritually minded person is one who walks by the Spirit (i. e. , God's word), both in the sense of Galatians 5: 16 and in that of Galatians 5: 25. n He manifests the fruits of the Spirit in his daily life. n The spiritual mind is yielded to God and His will. n Spiritual thinking makes it possible to do some of the following: 2/24/2021 7

n 1. Judge all things. "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man" (I Corinthians 2: 15). n 2. Help the weaker brother. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6: 1). 2/24/2021 8

3. Have the mind of Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2: 5). n 4. Bear fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is. . . If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5: 22, 25). n 5. Have power for living. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3: 20). n 2/24/2021 9

6. Walk in the light. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. . . " (I John 1: 7). n 7. Live a life of holiness. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of life" (I Peter 1: 15). n 8. Sing properly. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3: 16). n 2/24/2021 10

SPIRITUAL MIND 9. Be part of a "spiritual house. " "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2: 5). n 10. Realize money blessings are spiritual too. ". . . For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Romans 15: 27). n 2/24/2021 11

11. Have all spiritual blessings. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1: 3). n 12. To mind the things of the Spirit. "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8: 5). n 13. Have peace and life. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8: 6). n 2/24/2021 12

14. Face life realistically. Christians suffer and have problems too. "Man that is born of woman is few of days, and full of trouble" (Job 14: 1). n 15. Win the struggle between the flesh and the spirit through God's help. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4: 4). n 16. Be in unity with other members of the church. "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (Philippians 2: 2). n 2/24/2021 13

A carnal mind CAN'T produce a spiritual life. A spiritual mind won't be controlled by the flesh. Therefore, the mind must be constantly renewed and set on things above (cf. Romans 12: 2; Colossians 3: 2). n As a Christian I have a daily duty to do the following things which will help me maintain a spiritual mind: n 1. Realize I am dead to sin. "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6: 11). n 2/24/2021 14

2. Make no provision for the flesh. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof“ (Romans 13: 14). n 3. Reject the claims of the flesh. "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors , not to the flesh , to live after the flesh" (Romans 8: 12). n 4. Mortify the members of the body. "But if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8: 13). n 2/24/2021 15

5. Live for Christ. "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5: 15). n 6. Seek the things above. "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. . . set your mind on the things above. . . " (Colossians 3: 1, 2). n 7. Bring God glory. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end" (Ephesians 3: 21). n 2/24/2021 16

A spiritual mind produces a spiritual life. n A mind set on the things of God will be full of joy and good works. n Where is your mind? n 2/24/2021 17