The Epistle of ROMANS

Chapter Eight – (Part Two)

*** Read Part One before proceeding.

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.

Literal: For they that live on the level of the flesh, the five senses, do mind, or are obedient to, the things of the flesh, but they that live and walk according to the Spirit of God mind or are obedient to the things of the Spirit.

New English Translation: Those that live by the five senses, our lower nature, have their outlook formed by it; but those who live on the level of the Spirit have a spiritual outlook.

Galatians 5: 19, 20, 21 -- Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft [enchantment with drugs], hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkeness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

People who mind the things of the flesh are subject to all of this and for many it is a way of life. Be on guard at all times, stay spiritually sharp, and don't ever feel sorry for your adversary.

6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Literal: For to be carnally minded (sense-knowledge minded) is death, but to be spiritually minded (have a spiritual outlook) is life and peace.

Remember that this peace and rest is a state of health or well-being; it denotes a state of untroubled, undisturbed well-being, the result of forgiveness enjoyed. Remember, when you are at peace and able to rest, your state of health and well-being improves. Stress and strain affects your health in a negative manner -- you will never be stressed out when your outlook is spiritual as compared to carnal and you stay in fellowship.

Colossians 3: 15 -- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Remember, you cannot be negative when you are thankful. You can enjoy this peace because you have been forgiven.

Colossians 3: 2 -- Set your affection [mind] on things above, not on things on the earth.

You cannot help but to be peaceful and at rest when you continue to renew your mind and act on the Word of God. Only when you renew your mind do you experience life and peace.

Romans 6: 21 -- What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Walking by the senses is as if you are dead and leads only to death.

7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Literal: Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile, in conflict) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, indeed it cannot be.

James 4: 4 -- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Literal: So then they that live on the level of the five senses, the flesh, cannot please and be acceptable to God.

The flesh cannot please God because God is Spirit.

9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Literal: But ye are not in the flesh and that is not how you live, but in the Spirit, or on the spiritual level, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells within you. But if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not of God.

The Spirit of Christ is what came on the day of Pentecost and is available via the fulfillment of Romans 10: 9, 10. Jesus Christ foretold of this in the gospel of John.

John 14: 26 -- But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father shall send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

I Corinthians 2: 11, 12 -- For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

The desires of the flesh slowly disappear as you continue to renew your mind. They are not of God and you can do without them. Spiritual things bring life and peace. Nothing fleshly pleases God. You have got to make this effort to change this part of your life and rid yourself of fleshly desires. Talk to your mind and tell it to think the right way -- according to the Word. You must allow the spirit of God within you to dominate your thinking and actions.

10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Literal: But if Christ is dwelling within you, the body is indeed dead on account of sin, but the Spirit is life because you were justified (because of righteousness).

We have the righteousness of God because we were justified when Christ died for our sins. That is why we can have life - spiritual life. Do you see it? We are to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. The flesh or five senses is your old man who you are to reckon dead. He dies when you renew your mind to the Word of God.

11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Literal: Moreover, if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within you, then the God who raised Christ Jesus from the dead shall also give new life to your mortal bodies (eternal life, also) because of his Spirit that dwells in you.

We are to mortify all the desires of the flesh. God is Spirit and those that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Colossians 3: 5 -- Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

This verse says we are to put off anger, wrath, malice, filthy communication out of our mouth and blasphemy. Verse nine talks about putting off lying. These are all of the flesh. Your life should no longer be run and controlled by emotions. You can surely see that a spiritual outlook and your actions guided by the Christ in you is where you manifest a life that is more than abundant. No words can describe what it is like to walk by the Spirit of God via the renewed mind unless you have the experience.

12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Literal: So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (the five senses).

New English Translation: It follows, my friends, that our lower nature has no claim upon us; we are not obliged to live on that level.

13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Literal: For if you live according to the flesh (the five senses), you are about to die; but if by the Spirit, you put to death all the deeds, fleshly desires and base pursuits of the body, you will live.

14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Literal: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Galatians 5: 18 -- But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

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