Angelic Conflict part 285: Reigning in life – Rom 5:12-21; 8:1-11; Phi 2:2, 4-5; 3:15-16; 4:2, 8-10; Gal 5:19-23.

Title: Angelic Conflict part 285: Reigning in life - ROM 5:12-21; 8:1-11; PHI 2:2, 4-5; 3:15-16; 4:2, 8-10; GAL 5:19-23.  

 

 

ROM 8:5 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.

 

ROM 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

 

The Bible talks about the flesh a lot. The long list of things that are connected to the flesh are all hateful to God.

 

This is how you can easily recognize the flesh - it ultimately looks to satisfy itself because it cannot love and it cannot truly do something for others as God would in grace.

 

The deeds of the flesh always point to self, GAL 5:19-21.

 

GAL 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident [all point to self], which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

 

GAL 5:20 idolatry [wealth, power, promotion, etc.], sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

 

GAL 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

That is a mind set on the flesh in any category. It serves itself and while pursuing it, or setting our minds on it, we are walking dead even while we live.

 

The fruit of the Spirit has supernatural benefits of soul prosperity to self and service to others, GAL 5:22-23.

 

GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

GAL 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

It is vital that believers set their thinking upon the beautiful things of God and not on the flesh or the earth or the details of life.

 

PHI 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on [logizomai = to think about or reason about] these things.

 

PHI 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace [reference to Christ] shall be with you [working all things together for good].

 

Peace is often associated with the person of Christ as He is the Victor:

 

JOH 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

 

The world attempts to give people security through legislation or distribution of income, but man cannot protect himself or others since all are under the condemnation of death and sin.

 

Men who are at peace through Christ establish an environment where peace can flourish, but no one man can give peace to another man save Jesus Christ. Our founders recognized this.

 

There were heated and sometimes violent debates that took place in the thirteen colonies between 1775 and 1776 over the issue of morality. For many thousands of Americans the big question of independence hung precariously on the single, slender thread of whether or not the people were sufficiently virtuous and moral to govern themselves.  Self-government was generally referred to an republicanism, and it was universally acknowledged that a corrupt and selfish people could never make the principles of republicanism operate successfully.

 

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." [Ben Franklin]

 

"It [constitution] could survive only so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people." [George Washington]

 

In a republic, however, each man must somehow be persuaded to submerge his personal wants into the greater good of the whole. This willingness of the individual to sacrifice his private interest for the good of the community - such patriotism or love of country - the eighteenth century termed public virtue... The eighteenth century mind was thoroughly convinced that a popularly based government cannot be supported without virtue. [The Creation of the American Republic, Gordon Wood.]

 

"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary, absurd] idea." [James Madison]

 

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human  happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens ... Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. [George Washington, Farewell Address]

 

"I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends on virtue." [Samuel Adams]

 

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly in adequate to the government of any other." [John Adams]

 

"The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, of we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves." [Samuel Adams]

 

The flesh always acts on behalf of itself and in some ways very subtly, especially if a thing is greatly desired.

 

Man cannot give himself peace. It will always elude him unless he is regenerated through faith in Christ and then decides to set his mind on the things of the Spirit. Remember the Exodus who found no rest in 40 years because the eyes of their souls never got off of themselves and the world around them.

 

ROM 8:5 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.

 

ROM 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

 

The final words of verse 6, "the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace," is the declaration that the spiritually minded [literal translation] believer lives an abundant life in victory and triumph and is filled with prosperity and tranquility.

 

"peace" - eivrh,nh[eirene] = harmonized relationship between God and man [Vine's]. A state of tranquility [Joseph Thayer].

 

That is soul prosperity. This is the promise of triumph and calm. Peace and not war, but not as the hippies declared. This is the eye of the storm.

 

ROM 8:7 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;

 

ROM 8:8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Though the AC rages on and the believer often finds himself in chaos, he experiences triumph and calm. It is a heavenly life in an earthly existence.

 

ROM 8:9 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.

 

ROM 8:10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

 

ROM 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.

 

Many commentators treat this as a contrast between believer and unbeliever, and although it applies to that, I doubt that Paul is making a switch at this point from the contrast of the believer whose mind is on the things of the Spirit and the believer whose mind is on the things of the flesh. The believer whose mind is set on the things of the flesh has a lifestyle just like the unbeliever though he is regenerate and possessing eternal life.

 

Every believer has received the Holy Spirit to bring sight to their eyes and has perceived Jesus Christ as their light and salvation. But some haven't followed Him and have decided to follow after the flesh and the world. They have been born of the Holy Spirit, but they have grieved the Holy Spirit (EPH 4:30). Instead of setting their minds on the things of the Spirit, they have set their minds on the things of the flesh.

 

The believer who has set his mind on the flesh has set up a condition in his life which is hostile to the surgical work which the Lord must do in all that are His.

 

A mind set on the flesh makes for a spiritual eye that has cataracts. His natural eye sees the things of the world but his spiritual eyes is dull and cannot see clearly the reality of God's work in himself and in the world. We are what we think and so our most valuable asset is our mind, soul, and heart.

 

HEB 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.