Romans 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.
To be spiritually minded involves much more than just knowing the scriptures, or being able to discern right from wrong, for according to the passage of scripture given above, it also includes refraining from fleshly lusts which war against our souls, this being accomplished through the effectual working of The Holy Ghost in our minds from day to day. Being carnally minded not only refers to immorality or ungodliness in their various forms and manifestations, but it also includes petty jealousies, envying, and strife, which disturb the peace that Christ alone can give. The existence of irresolvable differences and disputes between Christians is a sign that the carnal mind needs to be renewed by the grace of Christ, for God is not the author of confusion. This is the fundamental problem Paul was addressing when admonishing the Corinthian church on jealousies that threatened their cohesiveness. Let's read:
1st Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
When Christians become spiritually minded, there is a change in the way conflicts and disagreements are resolved, and the grace of God applied to our hearts then makes it possible to go the extra mile in the pursuit of peace. This mindset is what was manifested in Abraham as he dealt with a volatile situation which had developed between his herdsmen and Lot's. The blessings of God upon both of them were so great that there was not enough room for their herds to graze, and thus an on-going argument over grazing rights erupted between their shepherds. But instead of aggravating the delicate situation by asserting his rights, the spiritually minded Abraham humbly conceded to the younger Lot, by giving him the first choice in the land that was before them. Let's read:
Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
The spiritually minded one was then able to quickly dispel the disturbance which could easily have spun out of control, and that's one reason why the Lord caused this particular incident to be incorporated into sacred history, for the benefit and instruction of future generations. In our day there seems to be irresolvable differences between the many politicians and statesmen in the land, and there are frequent bitter recriminations and accusations flying left and right, yet many of those who are thus caught up in these arguments claim to be Christians. What we need most urgently is not to determine who is right or wrong, but rather to become spiritually minded, by having Christ reign supreme in our hearts, for this is the only way that the carnal mind can be changed into one that is loving, kind, and easy to be entreated.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to follow in the footsteps of Christ by resisting the clamors of our carnal nature, and pursuing those characteristics which should shine from the inside out. Let's read:
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
May God grant us His grace today that this may be our experience both now and forever. God bless!