Taking sides!
Part 2
V24 n23
Rom 8:5-8, 5 For they
that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal
mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(KJV)
Romans 8:5 For if men are controlled by their earthly
natures, they give their minds to earthly things. If they are controlled by
their spiritual natures, they give their minds to spiritual things.
William's New Testament
Romans 8:5 For people who live by the standard
set by their lower nature are usually thinking the things suggested by that
nature, and people who live by the standard set by the Spirit are usually
thinking the things suggested by the Spirit.
How
often does a person really think about, or give thought to the fact that you do
have two natures? There is a battle going on within each person, as to who will
be in control, the flesh (carnal or lower nature), or the spirit. That is why
Paul told us that he was in a constant battle to keep under (control) his body,
to keep it in subjection to the Spirit.
Once
a person is born again, then they must continue to learn and grow within God’s
Word, so that the new creation is what is in control by hearing and then
obeying God’s Word, rather then the desires of the earthly nature or lower nature, that seeks and desires the pleasures and comforts of
this present life and world.
The former are after the flesh-- are under the power of the carnal, rebellious principle; and consequently mind, relish, the things of the flesh-- the things which appertain merely to the present life; having no relish for spiritual and eternal things.
[But they that are after the Spirit]
They who are regenerated, who are born of the Spirit, being redeemed from the
influence and law of the carnal mind; these relish the things of the Spirit--
they are spiritually minded, and pass through things temporal, so as not to
lose the things which are eternal. (from Adam Clarke
Commentary)
William's New Testament
Romans 8:6
For to be thinking the things suggested by the lower nature means death,
but to be thinking the things suggested by the Spirit means life and peace.
In
today’s world and society, how easy is it for the mind to think on things other
then God’s Word, and
the desire to be pleasing to Him? Yet, how often are your
thoughts in and on His Word? Is His Word the controlling factor in your life?
[For
to be carnally minded is death] To live under the influence of the carnal mind
is to live in the state of condemnation, and consequently liable to death
eternal. Whereas, on the contrary, the one who is spiritually
minded has the life and peace of God in his soul, and is in full prospect of
life eternal. (from Adam Clarke
Commentary)
The
man is as the mind is. The mind is the forge of thoughts. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he, <Prov.
23:7>. Which way do the thoughts move with most pleasure? On what do they
dwell with most satisfaction? The mind is the seat of wisdom. Which way go the
projects and contrivances? whether are we
more wise for the world or for our souls? They savour
the things of the flesh; so the word is rendered. It is a great matter what our
savour is, what truths, what tidings, what comforts, we do most relish, and are most agreeable to us.
Now, to caution us against this carnal-mindedness, he shows the great misery
and malignity of it, and compares it with the unspeakable excellency and comfort of spiritual-mindedness. (from
Matthew Henry's Commentary)
William's New Testament
Romans 8:7 Because one's thinking the things
suggested by the lower nature means enmity to God, for it does not subject
itself to God's law, nor indeed can it.
In
all aspects of life, one is going to take sides with God, or against God, as
there is no middle or neutral ground. What a person meditates in and on; that
which controls their heart and mind, is that which will determine whether they
are for or against God. How often does your lower or carnal nature, control
your thoughts and decisions?
The
former speaks the carnal sinner a dead man, which is bad; but this speaks him a
devil of a man. It is not only an enemy, but enmity itself. It is not only the
alienation of the soul from God, but the opposition of the soul against God; it
rebels against his authority, thwarts his design, opposes his interest, spits
in his face, spurns at his bowels. Can there be a greater enmity? An enemy
may be reconciled, but enmity cannot. How should this humble us for and warn us
against, carnal-mindedness! Shall we harbor and indulge that which is enmity to
God our creator, owner, ruler, and benefactor? (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
[Because
the carnal mind is enmity against God] Because it is a
carnal mind, and relishes earthly and sinful things, and lives in opposition to
the pure and holy law of God. Therefore, it is hostility against
God; it is irreconcilable and implacable hatred.
[It is not subject to the law of
God] It will come under no obedience; for it is sin, and the very principle
of rebellion; and therefore it cannot be subject, nor subjected; for it is
essential to sin to show itself in rebellion; and when it ceases to rebel, it
ceases to be sin.
From this we learn that the design
of God in the economy of the Gospel, is not to weaken,
curtail, or lay the carnal principle in bonds, but to destroy it. Since it is
not subject, and cannot be subject, to the law of God, it must be destroyed,
else it will continue to rebel against God. It cannot be mended, or rendered
less offensive in its nature, even by the operations of God it is always sin,
and sin is always hostile, and hostility, wherever it has power, will
invariably show itself in acts of hostility and rebellion. (from
Adam Clarke Commentary)
One
would seldom think of raising their hand and shaking their fist at God, when
their mind is renewed and in a proper state of fellowship with God. Yet, one
does not always have their mind renewed, nor are they always in true fellowship
with God. Any time the fleshly, carnal or lower nature gets into control in
one’s life, they have taken sides against God and His Word. Their actions are
then defiant and rebellious towards God and His Word and all that He stands
for.
Romans 8:8 And those whose hearts are absorbed in
earthly things cannot please God.
[So
then.] Because this carnal mind is enmity against
God, they that are in the flesh-- who are under the power of the workings of
this carnal mind (which every soul is that has not received redemption in the
blood of the Lamb).
[Cannot please God.] Because of the rebellious workings of this principle of rebellion
and hatred. And, if they cannot please God, they must be displeasing to
him; and consequently in the broad road to final perdition. (from
Adam Clarke Commentary)
To
be in the flesh, is not barely to have the flesh in us, but prevailing in us:
to be wholly possessed by the flesh, to be drenched and drowned in sin; instead
of fighting under Christ's banner against sin, to fight under the banner of
corrupt nature against Christ. Such cannot please God; nay, they cannot but
displease him, both in their persons and in their actions; for none can please
him that are unsuitable and unlike unto him, because all liking is founded in likeness, and all complacency is correspondency.
Learn
hence, That carnal men neither do, nor can please God,
because not renewed by God, nor reconciled to him: Such as are in the flesh
cannot please God. (Wm. Burkitt
commentary)
Regardless of what a person
may say or think, God’s Word is the ultimate and final
authority. One can believe it, or deny it. One is either for God, or against
Him. Who is it that you are taking sides with this day?
That
you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry
Gazelka
J
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