Flesh Or Spirit: A Choice Made For Us — If We Don’t Choose Christ

Rom. 8:5-9“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. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him..” 

The default setting of this world, once we have sinned, as all have, is fleshly, carnal. This is because the snares of devil cannot be consistently overcome without the help of God. Some consciously choose to walk in the flesh, others get there by the natural course of this world. Those who choose to follow Christ have the forgiveness of sins, and cleansing to set and keep them free and give them the help of the Spirit in their lives. 

So then Christians think not just what “I want” but what does “God want.” Not just “what can I get” but—through God—“what can I give?” “What can I get out of this?” is replaced with “What can I do for God or others?” 

The change of mind and habits that this new life in Christ can take a long time to grow and mature into all that it should be, all that it can be, in Christ. But this “way of life and peace” greatly blessed, and is to be supported by all others on this same path that brings glory to God.