Paul presents a stark contrast between basic attitudes in this life. One leads to life, the other to death. There is no middle road. They each end at two distinct places. Those that have their mind set on the flesh are "sensual, controlled by animal appetites, governed by human nature instead of by the Spirit of God." (Vines, p. 169) Having a carnal mindset leads one down the path to spiritual death. It is imperative that we acquire a spiritual mind. This will involve a change in life. How?

Develop a love for doing spiritual things. Whether it be worship, studying the bible, or listening to a friend who seeks advice; develop a passion for serving God! Find time for the spiritual! Don’t give God the leftovers of your time and money! Missing Bible study or worship for little or no reason; failure to study God’s word at home; and absence of prayer are just a few common problems Christians face today. If these are left unchecked, spiritual service will dwindle—and we will quickly wonder why we dread all the things that should fill us with joy! To develop the proper kind of love for spiritual things means we will have to learn how to say "no."

It seems as if saying "no" is frowned upon in today’s society. For example, it’s Saturday afternoon, a friend calls inviting you out to watch a movie that evening. You know you will be out late making it doubly hard to get up Sunday morning in the proper frame of mind for worship. But, because of fear of hurting your friend’s feelings you go out anyway. Sure enough, Sunday morning rolls around—and you find yourself waking up later than expected; tired; sleepy; and grumpy at the slowpoke in front of you who’s going to make you late for church. By the time you straggle in—half of Bible class is over—and you struggle to catch up with the discussion at hand. After this happens a few times, you begin to complain I just don’t get anything out of it and quit coming to Bible class at all.

The result of the above scenario would be drastically different if one’s priorities were in the right place. A love for the spiritual only begins when we learn to say "no" to the things that hamper our development as a Christian. We must discipline ourselves to focus upon the spiritual!

Develop relationships with fellow Christians. I know of no one better to associate with than God’s people. Here we share the same hope; love; and values. It is with God’s people that one can truly relax! We can quickly find our Christianity lagging if, after coming to Christ, we refuse to terminate relationships with those who would lead us away from God. Like it or not, we are influenced by those we associate with. First Cor. 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Invite another family from the church into your home. Have someone over for dinner; watch a movie; play a round of golf; attend home bible studies when they are offered. Attend every Bible class you can. Come to both worship
services on Sunday. Get to know the family of Christians at Brownsburg.

Let God’s Word direct your life. Fill your life with the fruit of the spirit diligently! Paul has said, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. We must work to add these qualities to our life. Rather than just read God’s word—one must LIVE according to God’s word! James 1:22-25 says, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Our desire for a heavenly home will help us acquire a spiritual mind. We must long for heaven to the extent that we will do whatever necessary to get there. There is not one thing in this life worth keeping your soul out of heaven! The only thing that will matter on judgment is whether or not we faithfully served God in this life. All the things a carnal mind focuses upon: status in life, wealth, and material possessions will mean nothing after this life is over. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Col. 3:1-2)