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I. THE CARNAL MIND.

1. The disposition.

(1) The expression is an abstract one. The apostle touches a principle which he finds at work, and laying hold of it says, "I wish you to look at it so that you may see its nature and tendency," just as a physician might describe the symptoms of a disease.

(2) This disease is named the mind of the flesh. This "minding" is like other verbs in which the organ gives the name to the act. When we put our hand to a thing we handle it, the eye, to eye it, the affections, to affect it. "Minding the flesh" is not gross vice, but simply worldly mindedness.

2. The consequence. To be carnally minded is —

(1) Death.

(a) It is the forerunner of eternal death. For such a disposition could never find a home in heaven.

(b) A sign of present spiritual death — a deadness to spiritual things,

(2) Enmity against God — a condition which men do not realise. Only conscious of indifference or ignorance, they resent the charge of enmity. But the apostle describes a tendency, ready at any moment, at any pressure of God's demands, to break out in hostility.

(3) Is not subject to the law of God. "Law" here is equivalent to "will." The law which worldly mindedness follows is what it and not what God likes. It must be taken away.

(4) Cannot please God.

II. THE SPIRITUAL MIND.

1. How it is produced. "If so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." No man is spiritually minded by nature. Respecting this Holy Spirit, note —

(1) His importance. The dispensation under which we live is called the "dispensation of the Spirit." While Christ is our only hope, upon the Holy Spirit depends our entire success.

(2) His mystery (John 3:8).

(3) His position. It is safer to honour Him too much than too little when we know that the sin of neglecting Him will never be forgiven either in this world or in the world to come.

(4) The privileges He introduces — regeneration, help, comfort, sanctification.

2. Its characteristics.

(1) Life. Material life is union of body and soul. True life in the mind is contact with the objects which draw out all its susceptibilities, On becoming spiritually minded we cater on a new world of spiritual realities. As experienced here, it is spiritual life; as experienced here. after, it will be eternal life. All other life is death because it is in union with perishing things and all its elements are dying.

(2) Peace. Life in sunshine. In proportion as we become spiritually minded is our peace secured. And that peace rests not upon a foundation which may be disturbed by conscience, poverty, or bereavement. "Nothing can separate us," etc.

3. The privilege of which this mind is the seal — Christ's Spirit. A man may have much that bears the semblance of piety — a head stored with knowledge, a mouth full of argument, a life full of work. "But if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." As a matter, then, of fact, every man may test his condition and state by this proof.

(P. Strutt.)

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KJV: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

WEB: For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;