The Fleshly Minded VS The Spiritual Minded

Fleshly Minded vs. Carnally Minded

The terms fleshly and carnal are closely connected in Scripture. In fact, carnal is essentially another way of expressing what belongs to or is governed by the flesh. Romans 8 contrasts those who set their minds on the things of the flesh with those who set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 

A person who is fleshly minded allows natural desires, emotions, appetites, selfish ambitions, and human reasoning to influence how they live. The flesh seeks to satisfy itself rather than submit itself to the direction of the Spirit.

To be carnally minded goes to the governing disposition of the mind. Paul declares that the carnal mind is opposed to God and does not submit itself to His law. Therefore, carnality is not merely committing a fleshly act; it describes a mind continually governed by the flesh rather than by the Spirit.

The opposite is the spiritually minded person. The Spirit of God changes what governs the believer's thinking, desires, decisions, and conduct. This is why Paul contrasts the two so strongly: the carnal mind produces death, while the spiritually minded life produces life and peace. 

Key Truth: The flesh concerns more than outward actions. The deeper battle concerns what governs the mind. Whatever controls the mind will eventually influence the direction of the life.