October 18, 2026, Morning Service
Walk According To The Spirit
Pastor Greg Isom
Paul began chapter 8 with a life changing truth that can change how we live our lives following Jesus.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
God has patience with us. He knows how we are and He has made concessions for us as we discussed two weeks ago. He has not changed His stance on sin, but it is our status that has changed from “guilty” to “forgiven.” God wants our heart and as long as we have given it to Him and seek to “walk according to the Spirit” we have no condemnation upon us. Our salvation does not pivot upon our actions of being perfect and sinless, Jesus paid the price for our sin in full as He said upon the cross; “It is finished!” When we grasp this truth it is freeing and removes a weight from us to always be perfect. I don’t have to be perfect to earn my salvation, Jesus walked that path for me and now I only have to believe and do my best to follow Him.
Notice how Paul divides people into two categories here in this verse. Those who “walk according to the flesh” and those who “walk according to the Spirit.” All of us would be in the first category if not for our faith in Jesus which justifies us and brings us under the Spirit’s control. In choosing to follow Jesus we now will perceive our walk with Him one in which we “want to” rather than we “have to.” If we are serious and sincere with our commitment to follow, there will be a change in our lives as we allow the Spirit to take control of our lives. Again this in NOT to earn our salvation, but the change comes because of our salvation. Paul goes deeper into these two categories as we continue in verse 5.
Romans 8:5 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, the things of the Spirit.
I am able to identify the category I am in by again sitting down in front of my spiritual mirror and looking into the thoughts that dominate my mind. What do I think about the most? Is it the things of this world (flesh); riches, worldly pleasures, sensual things, power, material things or the old adage “what is in it for me?” Do the thoughts/desires for these worldly things dominate my thoughts as the day goes by? Or, do I think about the things of the Spirit looking at others through the eyes of Jesus, praying constantly, and focusing more on doing things that Jesus would have me to do. It is a easy test to take, but one that can be very revealing about who I am walking according to; the flesh or the Spirit. Paul now adds in the consequences and rewards of those two choices.
Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
It does not take a theology degree to figure this statement out does it? To be dominated by thoughts (which lead to actions) of the pleasures of the this world (carnality) does not please God and leads to death (separation from God). The “carnal mind” is an enemy of God and resists His will for our lives keeping us focused on our own will not His. The pleasures of this world becomes who we seek and serve. The love of these things pulls us away from God. The the consequences of “walking according to the flesh” separates us from God and ends in death. Is that the path you want?
To be dominated by thoughts (leading to actions) that seek the will of God to be done in our lives as our priority (walking in the Spirit) leads to “life and peace!” In this case everything we do is focused on our faith and draws us closer to God. We are not longing for the things of this world we are longing for a closer relationship with our Lord as we “walk according to the Spirit.” That is the path I choose!
Do you see the key in defining both of these? Where our thoughts/minds are centered reveals to us which path we are walking in our lives. Later in Romans Paul tells us we are called to “not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind.” (Rom. 12:2) Transformation into becoming the people God wants us to be begins with the “renewing of you mind.” Thinking, focusing, and acting on the things of God rather than the things of the earth. Paul gave this list to us in his Philippian letter on things that we should be thinking about and focusing on:
Phil. 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Life is full of worry and things that we are anxious about and can dominate our thoughts. But here Paul tells us to again be transformed by renewing our mind and approach life differently. Don’t worry about everything; pray about everything and hand it over to God to work out for you. That changes your focus from your problems to the Problem Solver! It is then by changing our way of thinking and through our faith and trust that we can find God’s true peace that passes all understanding. With this new focus, problems then don’t push us away from God, but draw us to Him!
It seems human nature is to focus on the “bad” side of everything. We are quick to speak out when something is wrong and dwell on it continually. But here Paul tells us not to look for the bad things, but for the good. Things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy are what we should be meditating/thinking about. Seeing the good things in the world and celebrating them keeps us focused on God and His goodness that are present here. To refocus our spiritual vision is to refocus our thoughts and mind towards God and His goodness allowing us to “walk according to the Spirit.” Paul commands us in the Colossian letter:
Col 3:1-3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Where is you mind focused? On the things above or the things of the earth? Which are we seeking more, the things of Christ or the things of the world? Do you check on your investment account more than you read your Bible? When someone asks about your long term goals are they ones concerning things in this world you want to do or is it making heaven your home and making it crowded? Your thoughts expose your heart. Set your mind on things above and you will be drawn to God and see He more clearly and you “walk according to the Spirit.” Paul now affirms our focus.
Romans 8:9-11 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Many of us are questioning ourselves on whether we truly are walking the right path of life. Paul here affirms each of us that we are “not in the flesh but in the Spirit.” He adds this “IF” for us to consider. “If the Spirit of God dwells in you.” It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that changes who we are and how we think and act. Paul goes much deeper on this as we move forward, but for today lets build our faith through the promise of the Spirit in Peter’s first sermon.
Act 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is that simple for us to determine if we have the Spirit of God. We ask ourselves honestly; did I truly repent of my sin, was I baptized in Jesus’ name (authority)? If you say “yes” then God promised that you have indeed received the “gift of the Holy Spirit.” You are saved. You are a child of God. Now allow the Sprit to work by yielding to God’s will and begin to “walk in the Spirit!” The challenge for today is to evaluate the path you are walking in your life. Are your thoughts and actions leading you to a closer walk with Jesus OR leading you away from Him?