The Mind. Romans 8:5-8 People are divided into two groups: those whom the mind of the flesh (the sinful nature) controls and those who are controlled according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The first mindset is that of a sinful nature and leads to death. The second is the Spirit of God, which leads to life and peace. The sinful nature is bound up with death (v.6), hostility toward God (v.7), insubordination (v.7), and not acceptable to God in any way (v.8).
V.5. By nature, we would all be in the first category, where the physical lusts of the flesh would be our occupation, interests, and desires. The "old man with his deeds" wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of the mouth, and lies are to be "put off" when we are brought out of the dominion of sin. Those things that attract the mind of the flesh, indicate that person is at enmity with God. It is the choice of those who walk according to the Spirit to think about the things of the Spirit and to “will and do of His good pleasure.” Which way do I allow myself to walk?
The position and condition of such a person is that of death. The mind of the flesh is death. The disposition and direction of the mind of the flesh clearly show that such a person is lost. Cain, Balaam, Korah, and Judas are extreme examples of those whose mind is dead. There are many others who, for the pleasures of sin, the appeal of religion, the favor of friends, or the pressure of peers, have the mind of the flesh. These, too, are in the flesh that is enmity toward God. Nothing they can do in the flesh can please God. They have never been born again and are not "children of God by faith in Jesus Christ."
V.6. The second group of people are those who have the mind of the Spirit. When a person has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, there is something and Someone in them that is according to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit first convicted that person of sin and brought them to the place of repentance. Then the Holy Spirit and the Word of God brought about the new birth, and the Spirit indwells the one who is born again. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided a way out of the domination of sin. When the Spirit of God guides us as to what is right, we should do that with enthusiasm as to the Lord and we will know the joy of pleasing Him.
V.7. The mind of the flesh is in opposition to God’s will and refuses to obey Him. To be an enemy of God is the condition of the lost. The carnal mind must be broken and cast away. To be carnally minded is to focus our minds on our own desires that are contrary to what the will of God is. A carnal mind is dead to God and cannot please God. In contrast to that is to be spiritually minded. That is what is involved in eternal life and peace of mind. When we accept Him, we want to follow Him and please Him because that is where life and peace are found. It is up to us to consciously center our lives on Him and God’s will for us.
V.8. When we follow the flesh, we displease God and die. Following the Spirit of God means we obey God and live. Our attitude toward God indicates whether we need to be reconciled to God and cleansed from sin, or pleasing Him is the highest goal in our lives. The mind of the Spirit brings the new life we have in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The peace He supplies is because all enmity between us and God is gone, and we live in that peace which does not end. There is a whole new spiritual environment we live in when the Spirit of God dwells in us.
The disposition of the Spirit is such that we have the desire to "put on the new man" and all the attributes that are associated with the one who loves the Lord and wants to please God. Those in the flesh cannot please God no matter what they might do. Those with the mind of the Spirit have that life and peace within that motivates them to pray, praise, worship, read the Word of God, and have fellowship with the people of God.