Mind Set on the Spirit VS. Mind Set on the Flesh

Ro 8:6 For the carnal mind is death, but the spiritual mind is life and peace.

Ro 8:13 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. 

Comparison	Mind Set on the Spirit	Mind Set on the Flesh
Meaning	The mind relies on the Holy Spirit, unites with the spirit, does not operate independently, and accepts the guidance of the Spirit of life	The mind operates independently, departs from the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and relies on its own wisdom and judgment
Result	Life and peace (Rom 8:6), receives life's salvation, experiences Christ as the Spirit of life	Death (Rom 8:6), separation from God, unable to experience God's salvation
Characteristics	A dependent mind, completely relying on the spirit, united with the spirit, governed and directed by the spirit	An independent mind, disconnected from the spirit, independent from the Lord, self-governed
Examples	Turning to the Lord in prayer, constantly relying on the Holy Spirit, following the moving of the Holy Spirit	Doing good or evil according to one's own will, following Scripture based on one's own understanding, making decisions without prayer
Application	Through prayer, turning the mind back to the spirit, practicing communion with the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide thoughts	(To be avoided) Acting on one's own, making decisions without prayer, operating independently from God's leading
Relationship	The mind needs to be governed by the spirit to function correctly; setting the mind on the spirit is like plugging an electrical device into a socket—when connected, salvation comes	A mind independent from the spirit falls into the principle of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; whether doing good or evil, both lead to death
Detailed Scripture	Rom 8:6 "To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" Rom 8:5 "Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" Rom 8:9 "If God's Spirit dwells in you, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit" Rom 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind"	Rom 8:6 "To set the mind on the flesh is death" Rom 8:5 "Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh" Rom 8:7 "For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God" Rom 8:8 "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God"

 

This table illustrates an important spiritual principle: the key to our cooperation with God lies in how we use our mind. If our mind is united with the spirit, we experience life; if our mind operates independently, whether doing good or evil, we will experience death. We need to continually turn our mind to and set it on the spirit through prayer, making our mind a dependent mind rather than an independent one.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 International Chinese Conference Romans 5-8 - The Core of the Bible Chapter 1 The Line of Life and Death in Romans 5-8