“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, NIV)
In this world right now there is either death or life and peace. And there is no in-between.
What Paul wrote about our minds in Romans 8:6 is a plain reality. Our minds are going to be governed by something and Paul sees that something as either the flesh or the Spirit. He tells us that if our minds are governed by the flesh, death is the result—the fruit our lives will produce. Contrary to that, he tells us that if our minds are governed by the Spirit (of God)—the Holy Spirit—a fruit called “life and peace” will be brought forth. What governs our minds means everything for the lives we want to live.
Just prior to the statement in verse 6, Paul wrote, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5). What we get by backing up just one verse is context and this context sets the stage for what governs our minds. If you or I live according to the flesh, we will (as a direct result) have our minds set on what the flesh desires. In the same way, if we live in accordance with the Spirit, we will (as a direct result) have our minds set on what the Spirit desires.
So, the question about what or who’s going to govern our minds rests upon how we live our lives. If we give our lives to that which is contrary to the Spirit of God—the flesh—we can expect our minds to be governed by that which is contrary to the Spirit of God. But, again, just as plainly, if we give our lives to that which is in accordance with the Spirit of God, we don’t have to worry about the flesh, because there’s no room for it.
You may be asking yourself, how do I live in accordance with the Spirit?
It’s the exact right question to ask, and I think the answer can be found in verse 9. In Romans 8:9 Paul wrote, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.”
It’s the Spirit of God that enables you and I live in accordance with the Spirit.
If you’re born again, this was the Spirit’s work in you, and you can trust that he’s going to lead you into life and peace. If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve been born again, then ask God to make it clear to you. Look to Christ. Find him lovely. Find him worthy. See him as your friend and savior. The amazing thing is that in your your wonder and searching is evidence that the Holy Spirit is working and drawing you to Christ.
If we live in accordance with the Spirit he will govern our minds and we will receive life and peace. What more could you want?