The mind of the Spirit
"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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:5-6 ESV)
July 9, 2024
Dear friends,
Here’s a question: what does the Holy Spirit think about?
That may seem an odd question, but I ask it in reverence, not for empty speculation. The Apostle Paul speaks of the mind of the Spirit: "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:27) The Holy Spirit intercedes (communicates with) the Father, along with the Son (8:34), on behalf of God's children here on earth.
What got me thinking about this was an earlier verse in Romans chapter 8, verse 5: "...those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." [φρονοῦσιν ... οἱ δὲ κατὰ πνεῦμα τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος] It is to "think the thoughts of, have one's mind controlled by" the Spirit (UBS). To "set one's mind upon" [BAGD] (or think intently about) the "things" [neuter plural article + genitive = "the things of"] of the Holy Spirit. We are not told specifically here what these "things" are, but they relate to the mindset of the Holy Spirit.
I'm not trying to be geeky here, but Paul is telling us that Christians have undergone a major reorientation in their thought life and outlook. We see and think differently, along the lines of how the Holy Spirit sees and thinks about things. This begins at conversion, as C. S. Lewis wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.”
Yet this new mindset is not only for the beginning of our salvation, but also for our ongoing spiritual life. It means that we maintain this new outlook throughout our lives. It is to have our "mindfulness" (a trendy word) changed from sinful me ("flesh") to the Holy Spirit's purpose for the new me. We are to make the Spirit's mind, his desires, and his purpose central to all of our thinking. This is also related to "having the mind of Christ", i.e., having the same view of life, values, motivations, and truth as our Lord Jesus does. (1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5)
Lest I seem to be dividing the Persons of the Trinity, I want to note that there is but one mind and purpose in God: "...according to the will of God" (Rom 8:27). Yet there seems to be a distinction of roles within the triune God as to achieving that one purpose. In particular, the Holy Spirit is the giver of life (Gen 1:2; Ezek 37:14; et al). He is the Spirit of truth who brings light and understanding and order (John 16:13). He glorifies the person and work of Jesus Christ (John 16:14). He gives empowerment for witness (Acts 1:8). He bears spiritual fruit in the lives of believers. He gives gifts for the upbuilding of the body of Christ (1 Cor 14:12). And as noted above, he intercedes for the children of God. There's certainly more that can be added to this list.
How do we do this, this setting of our minds on the things (thoughts, desire, will, purpose) of the Holy Spirit? How do we keep this new God-given perspective alive and at the forefront of our thinking?
Recently, on a lake vacation with some of our family, I asked the question to our children, who themselves are parenting small children (aka precious grandchildren), "What does it mean for parents of young children to 'set your minds on the things of the Spirit'? How do you do that?" That launched a discussion -- briefly, until interrupted by aforementioned grandchildren -- about having a wider view and higher purpose when we are relating to our children, whether in comfort or correction. It would mean that we consider -- not what we want our child to do right now, but what does the Holy Spirit want for our child? What is God's will in this moment? And, how is the Spirit leading us to respond to the child? (Or, to our spouse, co-worker, neighbor, etc.) How is the Spirit purposing to transform me right now, especially in the areas of love and patience and joy and self-control? (Gal 5:22-23)
This does not mean that we don't pray about the things we ourselves would desire, such as physical health, happy marriages, financial needs, and so on. It means rather that we are placing our own expectations within God's plan of salvation. This salvation plan was ordained by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied to us by the Holy Spirit. I recently came upon this quote:
“You see, God hasn’t promised you a good job or great kids. He hasn’t promised you an easy marriage and a comfortable place to live. He hasn’t promised you physical health and a good church to attend. He hasn’t promised that you would experience affluence and be surrounded by things that entertain you. What he has promised is that he will complete the work that he has begun in you.” (Paul David Tripp, Awe)
Being spiritually minded, then, is to have a wider and higher view of life, seeing things from God's perspective, and understanding the work that he is completing in us. It is to be ever mindful of the Holy Spirit’s purpose in making us what he has called us to be.
So, we should ask ourselves, what's at the forefront of our thinking, what kind of mindfulness are we practicing? Is it merely how to get what we want out of life and circumstances? Is it mainly about fixing or controlling things? Or is it about what God wants, and specifically about the new life which the Holy Spirit is giving us?
So, what does the Holy Spirit think about? Things like life (real life), truth, fruit-bearing, the glory of Christ, transformation, strength-giving, and making intercession for God’s people.
And these things should be in the forefront of our thinking, too!
READING FURTHER.
-- Here's the context for Lewis's statement about Christianity and the sunrise:
-- Here are a few historical articles on "Spiritual Mindedness" by John Owen, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and others.
FINAL QUOTE.
"Spiritual mindedness, therefore, is the state of mind that manifests itself in making the things of the Spirit the great object of thought, desire, and pursuit. The things of the Spirit are God, Christ, truth, holiness, the interests of Christ’s kingdom and heaven." (Charles Hodge)
That’s it for this week!
Sandy
Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.