From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 5): Walking in the Spirit Daily

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 5): Walking in the Spirit Daily

Before we continue, let’s take a moment to look back at where we’ve been. In Part 1, we saw the difference between the carnal mind and the spiritual mind. The carnal mind is natural to all of us—it’s how we think before we come to Christ, and it remains with us unless we renew it. In Part 2, we learned that renewal requires forsaking. We cannot hold on to old thoughts and expect new life. The Word of God must replace what we once believed. Then in Part 3, we were reminded that spiritual growth is a journey. It’s not about being perfect but about moving forward. Every step matters. And in Part 4, we saw that renewal is shaped by doctrine. The mind is not renewed by emotion or experience, but by truth—truth rightly divided and received with meekness.

Now we come to Part 5, and we begin to see how this renewed mind is lived out. It’s not just something we understand—it’s something we walk in. Paul writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25). This is not a once-off decision. It is a daily walk. It is a way of thinking, a way of responding, a way of living. The spiritual mind is not just for study—it is for life.

Walking in the Spirit means paying attention to the things of God. It means setting our thoughts on what is true and letting the Word guide our steps. The carnal mind does not go away on its own. It must be replaced, and that happens when we choose to think spiritually in everyday moments. When we are tired, when we are tempted, when we are tested—these are the times when the spiritual walk is proven. Paul tells us to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). That means we walk with care. We walk with purpose. We walk with understanding.

This walk is not powered by feelings. It is led by truth. The Spirit does not lead us through emotion—He leads us through the Word. That is why Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not things we try to produce—they are the result of a mind that is yielded to God. When we walk in the Spirit, these things begin to show in our lives. Not all at once, and not without struggle, but they grow as we continue.

To walk in the Spirit daily is to renew the mind daily. It is to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. It is to think on things above, and to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. This is not something we do by accident. It is a choice. It is a habit. It is a spiritual discipline. And it is worth it. Because when we walk in the Spirit, we begin to see life and peace. We begin to respond with grace. We begin to grow in wisdom. And we begin to reflect the mind of Christ.

So let us walk. Not just when it’s easy, but when it’s needed. Let us walk with understanding, with patience, and with joy. Let us walk in the Spirit and let the Word shape our steps. For this is how the renewed mind becomes a renewed life.

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

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 4): Doctrine Shapes Renewal

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 4): Doctrine Shapes Renewal

Before we press forward, let us pause and reflect on the ground we’ve already covered. In Part 1, we explored the stark contrast between the carnal and spiritual mind—the one governed by fleshly reasoning, the other by divine truth. We saw that the spiritual mind is not natural, but cultivated, and that the believer is called to intentional renewal. In Part 2, we learned that renewal is not passive; it requires forsaking. Old thought patterns must be abandoned, not merely suppressed. The mind must be emptied of error before it can be filled with truth. Then in Part 3, we were reminded that this journey is not about perfection, but progression. God does not demand flawlessness, but faithfulness. The spiritual mind is measured not by how far we’ve come, but by whether we are moving forward—renewed day by day, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, in Part 4, we turn our attention to the substance of that renewal. What exactly renews the mind? What shapes the spiritual understanding of the believer? The answer is not found in emotion, experience, or even sincerity—it is found in doctrine. Not just any doctrine, but sound doctrine, rightly divided, rooted in the Word of God and revealed through the apostle Paul for the Church today. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14). The renewed mind is not a blank canvas—it is a built structure. It has a foundation, a framework, and a finish. And that structure is doctrinal.

Without sound doctrine, the believer remains vulnerable. Sincere, perhaps, but unstable. Tossed. Carried. Reacting to life, rather than abiding in truth. The carnal mind is easily swayed because it lacks anchor. But the spiritual mind is grounded—it discerns, it separates, it sees the whole counsel of God and walks in the truth given for today. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). Renewal without division is deception. Mixing law and grace muddies identity. Confusing Israel and the Body distorts purpose. Ignoring dispensations breeds contradiction. The spiritual mind must be taught to divide, not to blend.

Doctrine does more than inform—it guards. It protects the mind from error, equips it for endurance, and stabilises it in seasons of uncertainty. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught…” (Titus 1:9). The believer untaught is a believer unarmed. And the unarmed believer is easily shaken. But sound doctrine fortifies. It builds spiritual muscle. It trains the mind to resist falsehood and rejoice in truth. It is not cold theology—it is living truth, shaping the heart and renewing the mind.

And here is the encouragement: renewal begins with doctrine, not emotion. The spiritual mind is not formed by how we feel—it is formed by what we believe. Feelings may accompany growth, but they are not the source of it. They follow formation. The mind is renewed by truth, not by experience. And that truth must be rightly divided, not blended with tradition or sentiment. Doctrine provides the framework for understanding who we are in Christ, how we walk, and what we believe. Without that framework, emotions can mislead us, even when they feel sincere. The renewed mind is not a mystery—it is the product of sound doctrine, received with meekness and applied with grace.

So let us continue, not merely to feel spiritual, but to be spiritual. Let us build, line upon line, precept upon precept, until the mind of Christ is formed in us. For “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16)—not by default, but by doctrine. And that mind, once formed, will not only renew us, but transform us.

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

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 3): Progression, Not Perfection

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 3): Progression, Not Perfection

One of the most freeing truths in Paul’s teaching is that spiritual maturity is not about arriving at perfection—it’s about moving forward in progression. The renewed mind isn’t something we wake up with. It’s something we grow into, step by step, thought by thought, decision by decision. And if we’re honest, many believers need to hear this. Because too often, we measure ourselves against an ideal and feel defeated before we even begin.

But here’s the key: spiritual maturity isn’t an on/off switch—it’s a lifelong process. Every believer starts at 100% carnal thinking. That’s the only mindset we’ve ever known before coming to Christ. The world shaped our values, our reactions, our priorities. And even after we’re saved, that carnal mind doesn’t just vanish. It must be replaced—intentionally and repeatedly—with the mind of Christ.

Now, let’s be clear: a carnal mind isn’t just a mind that’s prone to sin or always thinking evil thoughts. That’s a shallow definition. A carnal mind is simply the default human mindset—even if it’s thinking “good” things. It can be moral, kind, generous, and still be at enmity with God. Why? Because it operates independently of the Spirit. It has its own motives, its own logic, and it’s not driven by the love of Christ. That’s why Paul says in Romans 8:7,

“The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

Think of it like this: on one end of the scale is the natural man—dead in sins, steeped in worldly thinking. On the other end is the fully renewed mind of Christ. And every believer is somewhere in between. You can move forward on that scale, and yes, you can slide backward too. Because it’s not about having a carnal mind in the absolute sense—it’s about what you’re paying attention to. What are you minding? What are you giving your focus to?

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 2): Renewal Requires Forsaking

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 2): Renewal Requires Forsaking

The process of renewing the mind is not simply about learning new things—it’s about letting go of the old. The carnal mind, as Paul teaches, is not just a sinful mindset; it’s the default operating system of every person born into this world. Before salvation, it’s all we know. And even after we’re justified, it remains our natural tendency unless we actively forsake it.

Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:7 (KJV):

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

That’s not a matter of effort or sincerity—it’s a matter of incompatibility. The carnal mind cannot please God. It doesn’t matter how well-meaning a believer is; if they’re still thinking with the old framework, they’re walking in opposition to the Spirit. And tragically, many believers are trying to live for God while clinging to the very mindset that opposes Him.

Renewal, then, is not just about acquiring biblical knowledge. It’s about forsaking the thoughts that once defined us. Isaiah 55 says:

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

That’s the heart of renewal. You don’t just add Scripture to your thinking—you replace your thinking with Scripture. You don’t just memorize verses—you surrender your old conclusions. You don’t just learn about heaven—you begin to mind heavenly things, as Colossians 3 instructs:

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Embracing Correction and Truth

Embracing Correction and Truth

Spiritual maturity is a journey—a transformative process that challenges us to move beyond our own understanding and align our hearts and minds with the truth of God's Word. This growth often involves reproof and correction, two elements that may feel uncomfortable but are essential for shaping us into the image of Christ. As believers, we are called to renew our minds through Scripture, allowing God's wisdom to displace our own, and in doing so, we begin to understand the deeper truths of God’s word, His will and His judgements. 

The Galatian saints struggled with this, relying on their own efforts and clinging to the law of Moses instead of embracing the faith-centered doctrine that Paul taught. Their error lay in attempting to perfect themselves through fleshly endeavours rather than submitting to the transformative power of God's Word. This serves as a lesson for all believers: true transformation comes not from our own wisdom or actions, but from the renewing of our minds by Scripture alone. We cannot layer God's truth on top of our flawed thinking and expect to grow; instead, we must allow His Word to reshape us entirely. 

Acknowledging our need for correction is critical in this process. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 2:25-26 that those who oppose themselves are caught in the snare of the devil, unaware that they are walking in false doctrine. The first step to freedom is recognizing and admitting our errors. This attitude of humility helps us to change our mind and leads us back to the path of truth. Like the Galatians, we may sometimes find it difficult to accept correction, especially when it challenges deeply held beliefs or exposes areas of weakness. Yet, this willingness to embrace reproof is vital for spiritual growth. 

Romans 6: Growing Beyond Justification

Romans 6: Growing Beyond Justification

Justification through faith, as described in Romans 5:1, is not the end of the Christian life. Instead, justification marks the starting line of a transformative journey of faith. It is the open door to a lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity. What follows justification is essential for believers: the renewal of the mind and ultimately the transformation of one’s heart.

Romans 6 introduces us to the next critical step in this journey—introspection. It calls believers to turn inward and address the dominion of sin that remains a force in our mortal bodies. Without engaging with this inward transformation, many believers remain spiritual babes, as Paul lamented regarding the Corinthians, 1Cor.3:1-2. But with intentionality, we can progress towards the maturity God desires for us. Romans 6 equips us for this step, guiding us to understand what it means to be dead to sin and alive to God. This renewal is foundational for every believer who seeks to grow into the fullness of their faith and Paul’s doctrine.

Let us now explore the powerful truths of Romans 6, particularly focusing on the crux of the matter found in Romans 6:16, which reveals the vital process of yielding, obedience, and the fruits of righteousness.

What Romans 6 Teaches Us: Dead to Sin and Alive to God

Romans 6 addresses a profound truth: through Christ, our relationship with sin has fundamentally changed. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are invited to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). However, this does not happen automatically; it requires a mindset shift and an active faith.