For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:6-7, NKJV).
The word carnal is uncommon and unfamiliar to many today. In the Bible it describes those whose orientation in life is towards the physical rather than spiritual needs and desires. A more modern translation of the verses given above is:
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (ESV).
Every human is comprised of two opposing natures. There is the body of created flesh. There is the spirit, given from God, which provides the life force that is capable of achieving immortality. It is that spirit, or qualities of it, by which God shaped humanity after himself.
Paul taught often about the conflict between those two natures.
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another” (Galatians 5:17, NKJV).
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
To the Apostle the secret to living a sanctified life, overcoming temptation and sin, is to focus one’s goals and ambitions on spiritual matters.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
To those struggling to pay the essential bills each month, with sufficient food and other essentials becoming more expensive and in shorter supply day by day, focusing on spiritual matters is difficult. There are always urgent needs that we must address; problems we must solve. The children need clothes, shoes, and medical care immediately. Religious problems can wait.
But life experience teaches that spiritual needs are just as real, just as urgent, and even more essential than the everyday problems of food clothing and shelter (see Matthew 6:25-34). Without constant attention to our spiritual natures, our relationship with God suffers. Communication with him through Bible study and prayer is essential to that relationship. Spiritual growth is even more important than nurturing our bodies.
Those bodies, and all else made of created materials, are temporary, lasting only until our physical deaths. But the spirit is immortal and eternal. If we live by faith in Christ and are obedient to his commands, eternal life is promised. And nothing is more important than that.
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).
