From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 1): The Mindset That Leads to Life and Peace

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 1): The Mindset That Leads to Life and Peace

Paul’s words in Romans 8:6 (KJV) are not just a theological contrast—they’re a spiritual wake-up call:

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

This isn’t a message to unbelievers. Paul is speaking to the body of Christ, to those already justified by faith, and he’s urging us to recognize the ongoing battle within our minds. The carnal mind is our default—it’s how we all start. It’s shaped by the world, driven by fleshly desires, and completely incompatible with the things of God. Before salvation, it’s all we know. And even after we’re saved, it doesn’t just disappear. It must be replaced—intentionally, persistently, and scripturally—with the mind of Christ.

Paul doesn’t present this as a binary switch. It’s a scale. Every believer begins with 100% carnal thinking. Through the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), we begin to move toward spiritual maturity. But this isn’t passive. It requires deliberate attention to the things of the Spirit. As Romans 8:5 says,

“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.”

To “mind” something is to pay attention to it, to heed it, to let it shape your thoughts and decisions. The more we mind the things of the flesh—our comfort, our reputation, our earthly concerns—the more we drift toward death. Not eternal separation, but the daily death of peace, joy, and clarity. The more we mind the things of the Spirit—God’s Word, our heavenly calling, the body of Christ—the more we experience life and peace.

But here’s the challenge: the carnal mind is natural. It’s effortless. You don’t have to try to think carnally—it’s your default. The spiritual mind, on the other hand, is foreign. It must be cultivated. And that cultivation comes through the Word of God. Not just reading it, but submitting to it. Not just acquiring knowledge, but forsaking old thought patterns. As Isaiah 55 reminds us,

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.”

Renewing the mind means replacing our thoughts with His. It means letting go of the world’s definitions of peace, success, and identity, and embracing God’s eternal perspective. It means recognizing that we’ve been translated into a new kingdom (Colossians 1:13), and that our conversation—our speech, our focus, our mindset—is now in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

This shift isn’t easy. It’s simple, yes—but not easy. Like lifting a heavy weight, the instructions are clear, but the effort is real. And that’s why God equips us with His might (Ephesians 3:16). He strengthens us with spiritual power to endure with joy. Not just to survive trials, but to see them as opportunities to advance the gospel, just as Paul did from prison (Philippians 1:12).

So where are you on the scale? Are you minding earthly things or spiritual things? What dominates your thoughts, your prayers, your conversations? The answer reveals your mindset. And your mindset determines your experience of peace.

To be spiritually minded is life and peace. That’s not a catchy phrase—it’s a promise. But it’s a promise that requires your participation. You must think intentionally, speak intentionally, and live intentionally. You must let the Word of God do its work—not just inform you, but transform you.

And when you do, you’ll find that the things that once consumed you begin to lose their grip. You’ll find joy in the midst of sorrow, clarity in the midst of confusion, and peace that surpasses understanding. Because you’re no longer tethered to a dying world—you’re anchored in eternal truth.

Inspired by and adapted from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXAXfJ2KPk0