“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6 (NIV)
Good news: Sin is that within you which can be forgiven; nay, that which is already forgiven. The greatest step of faith is to believe that Christ has already set you free.
Unlike John Wesley who asked of his preachers, “How goes it with your soul.?”, I am interested in your answer to the question: “How goes it with your mind?” What is it that occupies the dominant space in your mind. Around what or who revolves your thoughts, and what power do those thoughts have over you, your emotions, quality of life, and your interpretation of events?
When Paul speaks of “the mind of Christ,” he is not referring to intellect alone, but to the orientation of the heart and will. In Romans 8, he draws a stark contrast between two ways of thinking: one governed by the flesh, the other governed by the Spirit.
The “flesh” in Paul’s language refers not to our physical bodies, but to a mindset driven by self-interest, fear, pride, and earthly concerns. A mind set on the flesh lives reactively, anxiously chasing after control, validation, and comfort. It resists God’s guidance and becomes entangled in worry, comparison, and judgement.
In contrast, the “mind set on the Spirit” is marked by surrender, trust, and an inner orientation toward God. It is a mind that listens before reacting, yields before grasping, and seeks God’s presence even in the midst of uncertainty. This mind brings “life and peace”—not just eternal life in the future, but deep inner peace in the present.
This is due to the fact that the imagination is not some hypothetical faculty separate from the mind: it is the mind itself in its totality, which, applied to this or that activity, always makes use of the same procedures. And the mind is formed by struggle, not by tranquillity.
The Spirit does not merely visit us from time to time. According to Paul, the Spirit already dwells within us. (1 Cor 3 v 16-17) This means we are never left to navigate our thoughts and feelings alone. The Spirit guides us towards truth, convicts us gently when we stray, and reminds us of our identity in Christ.
But here’s the challenge: the mind does not drift naturally toward the Spirit. Left to itself, it returns to old fears and familiar patterns. We must intentionally set our minds on the things of God. This means slowing down, practicing attentiveness, meditating on Scripture, and praying with a listening heart.
Jesus lived in perfect harmony with the Spirit. He said only what He heard from the Father. He moved with a deep awareness of time, place, and purpose. His was a mind at peace, even when surrounded by chaos.
To have the mind of Christ, then, is to allow the Spirit to govern our thoughts—not through force, but through quiet influence. We begin to think differently, feel differently, act differently—not by trying harder, but by yielding more deeply.
Today, take a moment to ask: “What are the triggers that set my thoughts into a whirl of negativity?” What do I need to release? What might it mean to “set my mind” on the Spirit, right here, right now?
Mike Crockett is qualified in Mindfulness Interventions, helping people to manage their stress, anxiety, depression and grief. You are welcome to make an appointment by dialling 0813366143.