The Things of the Spirit and the Mindset of the Believer
The Things of the Spirit and the Mindset of the Believer
Romans 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 Power of Mindset
In nearly every corner of culture today, the word mindset is a buzzword. Leadership and business circles talk about a “growth mindset.” Psychologists encourage avoiding a “fixed mindset.” Gary Klein, Ph.D., in Psychology Today, defines mindset like this: A mindset is a belief that orients the way we handle situations—the way we sort out what is going on and what we should do. Our mindsets help us spot opportunities, but they can also trap us in self-defeating cycles.
There is truth here, and we can learn from it. Yet much of pop psychology and leadership literature shares one flaw: it tries to chart a path toward a fruitful life while leaving out the spiritual life. Most articles won’t even mention transcendence or the reality that we are spiritual beings. Western culture, in particular, resists the truth that we are first and foremost spiritual.
The Contrast Paul Draws
This is why Paul warns us: if we set our minds on the flesh, on things that point back to us and feed our obsession with individualism, then the fruit of that life will be all about us. But if our minds are set on the Spirit and the things of the Spirit, the fruit of our lives will point to Christ.
So, what are the things of the Spirit we should fix our minds on?
The Things of the Spirit
Regeneration / New Life
Titus 3:5–7; John 3:5–6
The Spirit gives new birth to believers, described as the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
Sanctification / Transformation
2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:22–24; Galatians 5:16–25
The Spirit empowers us to put off the flesh and be transformed into holiness.
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22–23
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Gifts of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4
The Spirit gives gracious gifts for the building up of the church—both speaking and serving gifts.
Sealing / Guarantee
Ephesians 1:13–14
The Spirit seals believers and guarantees our future inheritance.
Testimony / Witness to Christ
John 15:26; Romans 8:16
The Spirit bears witness to Christ and assures us of adoption as God’s children.
Walking / Being Filled with the Spirit
Galatians 5:16, 25; Ephesians 5:18
Walking by the Spirit means living under His control, putting off the works of the flesh, and being led by His wisdom.
A Call to Re-Align Our Minds
In short, the “things of the Spirit” are the manifold ways God works in us, points us to Christ, and builds up His church for God’s glory and the good of His people.
What if you set your mind this week on these things? Ask yourself: Am I producing the fruit of the Spirit? Do I desire to read God’s Word? A desire to read Scripture is a desire to know Jesus, because the Spirit Himself breathed life into the words of Scripture.
One of our core team members offered a helpful picture: “A misaligned car will always pull in one direction.” What direction is your life pulling? Our lives typically follow the track of our strongest thoughts and desires. When my mind is set on transformation and sanctification, I become far more aware of how I treat others, and far more conscious of how my choices affect the people around me and honor Christ.
Let us then fix our minds on the Spirit, so that our lives pull in the direction of Christ.
Romans 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 Power of Mindset
In nearly every corner of culture today, the word mindset is a buzzword. Leadership and business circles talk about a “growth mindset.” Psychologists encourage avoiding a “fixed mindset.” Gary Klein, Ph.D., in Psychology Today, defines mindset like this: A mindset is a belief that orients the way we handle situations—the way we sort out what is going on and what we should do. Our mindsets help us spot opportunities, but they can also trap us in self-defeating cycles.
There is truth here, and we can learn from it. Yet much of pop psychology and leadership literature shares one flaw: it tries to chart a path toward a fruitful life while leaving out the spiritual life. Most articles won’t even mention transcendence or the reality that we are spiritual beings. Western culture, in particular, resists the truth that we are first and foremost spiritual.
The Contrast Paul Draws
This is why Paul warns us: if we set our minds on the flesh, on things that point back to us and feed our obsession with individualism, then the fruit of that life will be all about us. But if our minds are set on the Spirit and the things of the Spirit, the fruit of our lives will point to Christ.
So, what are the things of the Spirit we should fix our minds on?
The Things of the Spirit
Regeneration / New Life
Titus 3:5–7; John 3:5–6
The Spirit gives new birth to believers, described as the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
Sanctification / Transformation
2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:22–24; Galatians 5:16–25
The Spirit empowers us to put off the flesh and be transformed into holiness.
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22–23
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Gifts of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4
The Spirit gives gracious gifts for the building up of the church—both speaking and serving gifts.
Sealing / Guarantee
Ephesians 1:13–14
The Spirit seals believers and guarantees our future inheritance.
Testimony / Witness to Christ
John 15:26; Romans 8:16
The Spirit bears witness to Christ and assures us of adoption as God’s children.
Walking / Being Filled with the Spirit
Galatians 5:16, 25; Ephesians 5:18
Walking by the Spirit means living under His control, putting off the works of the flesh, and being led by His wisdom.
A Call to Re-Align Our Minds
In short, the “things of the Spirit” are the manifold ways God works in us, points us to Christ, and builds up His church for God’s glory and the good of His people.
What if you set your mind this week on these things? Ask yourself: Am I producing the fruit of the Spirit? Do I desire to read God’s Word? A desire to read Scripture is a desire to know Jesus, because the Spirit Himself breathed life into the words of Scripture.
One of our core team members offered a helpful picture: “A misaligned car will always pull in one direction.” What direction is your life pulling? Our lives typically follow the track of our strongest thoughts and desires. When my mind is set on transformation and sanctification, I become far more aware of how I treat others, and far more conscious of how my choices affect the people around me and honor Christ.
Let us then fix our minds on the Spirit, so that our lives pull in the direction of Christ.
Recent
Archive
2025
August
September
No Comments