carnal versus the spiritual mind - the battle for the Soul

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:1-8)

Hostilities have existed in the earth since the entry of sin into paradise causing a separation of man from his maker and men against each other. They will continue until the Prince of Peace Yeshua returns and ends it all and YHWH will renew the Heavens and the Earth.  We will reign with him Forever.

The carnal mind is hostile.

The book of Romans can be called and characterized as a treaties on “Life in the Spirit”.  Roman society during that epoch of time was highly  hedonistic.  This section of Apostle Paul’s letter  depicts a great dichotomy, the law of the Spirit of life verses the law of sin and death. Two opposing dynamics in conflict with one another.  It is a warfare. The natural mind can’t theorize it and the imagination can’t see it but as Yeshua told the disciples responding to their query after hearing him proclaim  that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)’.  Yeshua has shown us the way of peace.  While we are still partially human we can walk and live in the Spirit.  The carnal mind( the flesh) is hostile toward YHWH as stated in the text above and cannot please YHWH but the believer who is flesh and blood must learn to walk in the Spirit and oppose the carnal nature. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. .(Romans 8:14)”.  The Holy Spirit lead us into true liberty of life, the will of the Father and to Him. The carnal nature reigns over the person who does not walk in the Spirit.  The law could not contain the flesh but through the obedience of Yeshua who through the Fathers will fulfilled the law,  appeasing the Father’s wrath against sin, becoming our propitiation (the atonement for our sins) Romans 3:25,  defeated sin. When we repent and receive the Holy Spirit in obedience to Yeshua the flesh looses it’s stronghold on us.  Now the Spirit filled believer can freely yield  to Spiritual things no longer bound to carnality.  No more a flesh walker but a Faith Walker.

The carnal  versus the spiritual mind.

The carnal mind or “flesh walking “ as it is transliterated is full of hostilities.  Notice how a “flesh walking person is contentious, there is always a fight, an issue and peace is a distant hope.  Paul presents a rhetorical question, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1)”.  This contention is the fruit of the flesh, it derives it’s strength from pride and envy.  The beholder of these vices has no control of these spirits, they are under the influence and stronghold of the law of carnality.  It is the sin nature.  This is why the Saint should not be surprised at the actions of the carnal, it’s par for the course.  We all were there and subject to the same law at some point in our lives. Paul describes the characteristics of one who walks under the law of the flesh in  Galatians 5:19-21.  A tree is known by the fruit that it bears.   We must understand that this is bondage and torment that person may think he has but possesses no control over their own spirit and flesh. Remain Spiritual when confronted by an attack of the flesh.  Don’t be deceived by the enemy, he is an accuser of the brethren.  The enemy has only one weapon against the Spirit filled believer and that is deception.  Stick to your guns, the Word of YHWH.  It’s alright to be Spiritual.  Meaning walk in the Holy Spirit,hear what the Spirit says, do what the Spirit and the word says do.  Paul describes the fruit or mind of the Spirit in  Galatians 5:22-23.It is not subject to the law of the flesh. You must remain vigilant, always praying and watching because hostilities are existential but Yeshua has given us the victory over the assault of the enemy. Learn of the fruits and gifts of the Spirit that are in you so that you will become mature in all of them.  No more a babe troubled about fleshly things but a conqueror in Yeshua.  It is in him that we live and know that if you are in him and that he is in you, you have fellowship with YHWH and  his peace and strength reigns exponentially more than any hostile thing.