“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” — Romans 8:5–9
Paul’s words in Romans 8 paint a stark contrast between two forms of human existence. John Stott summarizes it well:
“If we are in the flesh we set our mind on the things of the flesh, we walk according to the flesh, and so die. But if we are in the Spirit we set our mind on the things of the Spirit, we walk according to the Spirit, and so live. What we are governs how we think; how we think governs how we behave; and how we behave governs our relation to God—death or life.”
Two Realms, Not Two Types of Christians
These verses aren’t mainly about believers switching between “spiritual” and “carnal” modes. They’re about two entirely different spheres of life.
- Life “in the flesh” — The condition of people who are still under sin’s dominion, without the Spirit. This is the unbeliever’s state, no matter how moral or religious they appear outwardly.
- Life “in the Spirit” — The condition of those who have been made new in Christ and have the Spirit dwelling in them. This is every believer’s state, even though we still wrestle with sin.
In other words, Paul’s contrast is positional (which realm you’re in) before it’s behavioral (how you’re acting). If you’ve been born again, you’re not “in the flesh” any more—you’re “in the Spirit.” That’s why Paul reassures his readers: “But you are not in the flesh…”
Position First, Practice Second
Paul frequently uses this pattern throughout his letters:
- Position: What God has already done for you, who you already are in Christ.
- Practice: How you’re called to live in light of that reality.
Think of it like moving houses. Positionally, your new address is “in Christ / in the Spirit.” Practically, you might still drive back to your old neighborhood out of habit. Your behavior can reflect the old ways, but that’s not your home anymore.
That’s why Paul writes:
- “So then, brothers, we are under obligation … to put to death the deeds of the body” (Rom. 8:12–13).
- “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).
He’s urging believers to live in line with who they already are. The Spirit gives power to resist the old mindset, but we still need to choose to set our minds on the things of the Spirit.
“If We Live by the Spirit…”
One of the clearest parallels to Romans 8 is Galatians 5:25:
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Paul is saying:
- Position: “We live by the Spirit” (we’ve been made alive by Him).
- Practice: “Let us also walk by the Spirit” (conduct our daily life in step with Him).
Similarly, Ephesians 5:8 says:
“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”
Again, identity first (“you are light”), behavior second (“walk as children of light”).
This pattern appears all over the New Testament (Romans 6:11–13; Colossians 3:1–3). Paul always begins by reminding believers of their new position, then calls them to live it out.
Life and Peace vs. Death
Verse 6 drives the point home:
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
The Greek word for “mind set” (phronēma) means more than occasional thoughts; it’s a deep orientation of life. Paul isn’t saying, “If a believer has a bad day and thinks fleshly thoughts, he’s dead.” He’s saying, “Those who belong to the flesh (unbelievers) have death as their realm; those who belong to the Spirit (believers) have life and peace as their realm.”
Later in Romans 8:12–13, Paul applies this to believers’ daily practice (“put to death the deeds of the body”), but verses 5–8 first describe two positions, not two moods.
Living in Step with the Spirit
So if you’re in Christ, you’re already “in the Spirit.” That’s your new home. The call now is to let your mindset, choices, and habits reflect your new address. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit and you’ll experience the life and peace that are already yours in Him.
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