Thomas K M A retired Defence Scientist from Indian Defence R&D Orgn.

Let me give some input to this question. 

Romans 8:5: “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

Flesh thinking is death. Spirit thinking is life and peace. Fleshly thinking can have noble ideals and admirable desires. Fleshly thinking people presume to achieve godly objectives without God. It injects the grace of God in favor of its own will, it's own way, it's own ability to do its own terms. Fleshly thinking buys into the 'self made man and woman' philosophy and align itself remarkably well with entrepreneurial spirit. It will leave you downright wretched. We must remember that flesh is hostile to God. The flesh cannot change,it can only be left behind. 

Here is another interpretation. 

There are two and only two groups of people in the world: Those who are according to the flesh and those who are according to the Spirit.

It’s important to understand that Paul is not writing here about two types of Christians, but rather about how non-Christians differ from true Christians. While it’s true that immature believers may yet live in accordance with the flesh (as I believe 7:14-25 describes), and even mature believers at times yield to the flesh (Rom. 8:12; Gal. 5:17), that is not what Paul is describing here. Here, “those who are according to the flesh” describes the spiritual condition of unbelievers. They are characterized by death (8:6). “Those who are according to the Spirit” describes believers, who are characterized by life and peace (8:6). The nature of each group determines their present behavior and their final destiny.

July 20 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report