I love when the Bible gives me tests of faithfulness. There are a lot of times when I can deceive myself by thinking, “Oh, you’re not really doing that, so you’re ok!” or “You don’t struggle with that horrible awful thing, so you’re a super-awesome Christian!” And then, there are verses like Romans 8:5 that put it all in perspective.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

Where is my mind? This verse tears away all of the blurry lines and excuses and deceptions, and makes it plain and unavoidable. Either my mindset is spiritual, or my mindset is fleshly.

Moving on in Romans 8, we see the result of these two mindsets: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (v.13). 

For me, it’s a matter of priorities. Where do I set my mind day after day? What kinds of thoughts permeate my mind hour after hour? Thoughts of what I’ll do with the next paycheck? Which store is having a big sale? Where I can go get the latest and greatest gadget? Or who I can help with that bonus that came in? Who would really benefit from this item I just don’t need? Who can I pray for or study with or bless in some way today?

Sadly, a lot of my days look more like the top of the list than the bottom, but I’m working on it. And one way I’m working on it is by asking myself where my mind is. Paul admonished the brethren in Colossae to,”seek those things which are above, where Christ is”. Jesus told us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to busy ourselves laying up treasures in heaven. James said that true religion came in the form of helping others (James 1:27). If I want to be spiritual, I have to have a spiritual mindset, and attaining a spiritual mindset is as easy as turning off the flesh (which mostly isn’t easy). Still, if we know what to turn off, then we’re one step closer than we were.

When we let spiritual things set the tone for our hours and days and weeks, we will be able to truly call ourselves children of God, because Paul said, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14)

Let spiritual things lead your life. Let spiritual decisions control your days. Let Christ dwell in your every action and word and thought, every day. When you do, all things will work together for good (Rom. 8:28).