For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
When we live according to our flesh we become self-focused, and it’s not pretty!
Galatians 5:19–20 lists the works of the flesh and what it looks like for those who don’t do the work of renewing their minds or transforming their hearts. It says it makes us hateful, jealous, angry and selfish, we cause trouble everywhere we go, bringing strife and rivalry, and moving into sorcery and witchcraft.
Many believers struggling with some of these issues wonder, “Am I still a Christian?” The truth is, even if we lose focus and become self-serving, our spirit is still born again. When we live according to the flesh, it means we haven’t obeyed the Word about how to move from the external to the internal when it comes to the kingdom of God. We’re saved, but the difference is we’re not taking authority over our lives in Christ!
Holy Spirit’s job is to help us do the work so we can get to a place where our emotions and our lives are heavenly. So, we can have “days of heaven upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:21). We can have the mind of Christ—His emotions, His desires, His excitement—by living according to the Spirit, but it takes work.
Our work is to make our minds submit to the Word of God. As we begin to read and obey God’s Word, it starts to renew our minds and establish our hearts, which in turn enables the Holy Spirit to start cleaning up our misbeliefs. Galatians 5:22 says we then begin to experience “the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Living according to the Spirit is God-focused, and it’s beautiful!