Romans 8:6 in the New King James Version (NKJV) reads: “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” This verse is a profound statement about the two possible orientations of human life: the flesh (carnal mind) and the Spirit.

Theological Insights

In Reformed Evangelical Christianity, this verse is understood as a clear delineation between a life oriented towards the flesh and a life oriented towards the Spirit. The “carnally minded” refers to those who live according to their sinful nature, their thoughts and actions being guided by their own desires and worldly values. This mindset leads to spiritual death, a separation from God.

On the other hand, to be “spiritually minded” is to live according to the Spirit, setting one’s mind on the things of God. This mindset leads to life and peace, signifying a harmonious relationship with God and the assurance of eternal life.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Matthew Henry, a notable biblical scholar, provides a comprehensive commentary on this verse. He explains that the carnal mind is not only an enemy to God but is enmity itself. The carnal mind is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law, nor indeed can it. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Conversely, those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit, which results in life and peace. This life and peace come from being justified freely by grace in Christ [1].

Tim Keller’s Teaching

Tim Keller, a prominent Reformed Evangelical pastor, has also provided valuable insights into Romans 8. While specific commentary from Keller on Romans 8:6 is not directly available, his teachings emphasise the transformative power of living according to the Spirit. He underscores that believers in Christ live in a new reality structured by Christ, by the Spirit, by life [2].

Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s Teaching

Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a renowned preacher and theologian, has a series of sermons on Romans 8 available on the MLJ Trust [1]. While specific commentary on Romans 8:6 is not directly available, his teachings on Romans 8 emphasise the believer’s relationship to sin and the role of sanctification [2]. He explains that from the moment of salvation, Christians are dead to sin since they have been united with Christ and His life [2]. The Christian spirit is alive to Christ, yet their bodies are still under the bondage and dominion of sin [2].

Application to Modern Christian Living

Applying Romans 8:6 to modern Christian living involves a conscious and continual effort to orient our minds and hearts towards the things of the Spirit. This implies seeking God’s will in all aspects of life, striving for righteousness, and cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God.

Living according to the Spirit also means demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our interactions with others. It involves showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Moreover, it means turning away from the desires of the flesh, which lead to death, and instead embracing the life and peace offered through the Spirit. This transformation isn’t achieved by our strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

In conclusion, Romans 8:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the two paths before us: the path of the flesh leading to death and the path of the Spirit leading to life and peace. As Christians, we’re called to choose the latter, living our lives in alignment with the Spirit, which results in true life and peace.

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 04/06/2024

1. Free Sermon | Sermons on Romans 8 | Page 1 of 4 – MLJTrust.org
2. Sanctification in Romans 6 to 8: A sermon – MLJTrust.org
3. en.wikipedia.org

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From today’s Bible app meditation.

Think about what you think about.

What you tell yourself everyday matters. If you believe something about your identity that isn’t true, then you will struggle to believe what God says about you.  But, when you root your identity in God and allow His Spirit to shape your life, you will begin to see yourself the way HE sees you. This changes everything!

Here are three ways you can guard your thoughts and declare God’s truth over your life:

1. Identify the lies you tell yourself.

Your words and actions reveal the narratives you tell yourself. To determine if a narrative is false, ask yourself: Is this thought marked by fear, insecurity, pride, bitterness, or a lack of confidence? Is this thought leading me to cynical or self-serving behaviour? If you can answer “yes” to either of those questions, then the narrative you’re telling yourself probably needs to be addressed and adjusted.

It’ll be easier to change how you think when you can identify where and when you began believing a lie.

2. Shift your perspective.

For every lie, there is a truth that can replace it—and those truths can be found in the Bible. Look over your list of lies and ask God to show you in His Word what His truth is. Create mental space for the Holy Spirit to show you how He sees you.

3. Declare what’s true.

Turn the truths from Scripture into specific, intentional statements you can declare over your life daily.

Here are some declarations to get you started:

• I am enough because I am a child of God (John 1:12-13).
• I am greatly loved (1 John 3:1).
• Nothing can separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).

As you practice these steps, remember that if God—whose Word is truth—says something about you, it must be true. So, allow His Holy Spirit to transform the way you think. Let His thoughts about you become your thoughts about you.