To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Does Paul intend to say by this verse that a Christian—a true believer—is never disturbed? Never anxious? Never struggling with the providential circumstances of life? Is it always like this for the Christian: that I must be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease?
As I was preparing for a bible study on Romans eight recently I came across a discussion on this issue in William Hendriksen’s commentary.
For many Christians, a verse like this (verse 6) can bring about moments of real crisis. If you have been in the pastoral ministry very long at all, if you have been around Christians for any length of time, you will have encountered someone going through crushing trials. You will talk with men and women who have anguish because they are in anguish. They will express great guilt and even resentment that they are going through massive pains and sorrows, and they’re worried that their lack of a mind of “life and peace” must mean their minds are not set on the Spirit.
In fact, the context in which this verse appears seems to reinforce the idea that a lack of peace must be an indicator of a state of unbelief. Verses 5-8 give us a sustained contrast between an unbeliever and a believer. The mindset of the flesh and the mindset of the Spirit. The mindset of flesh is sold out to and dominated by what the sinful nature desires (v 5), this mindset leads to death, is hostile to God, does not submit to God’s law, does not please God—nor can it.
While the mind set on the Spirit is the exact opposite. And its fruit is life and peace.
So you can appreciate why the anxious Christian who does not have this sense of “life and peace,” who is struggling resentfully with their suffering, who is crying out, ‘O, Wretched man that I am!’ might be stricken with doubt as to whether they are in fact a child of God at all.
Is that conclusion necessarily correct? Hendriksen: “The answer must be, Not at all.” He goes on to affirm that while the basic disposition of the Spirit indwelt child of God is life and peace, that doesn’t mean a believer won’t have deep sorrow over indwelling sin and ardently desire to be free from it.
Having said that, “The idea that the believer is a person who is always staying on an even keel should be given up. A believer’s life is not that simple. It is tremendously complex.” Hendriksen goes on to remind us of the apostle Peter who made the great confession (Matt 16:16, 17), but also expressed the great denial (Matt. 26:69-75).
And what about, Hendriksen asks, the writer of Psalm 77? A believer (!) pouring out some of the most honestly expressed and outraged emotions on providential pain ever penned.
The thought of God brought me no peace,
But rather made my fears increase;
With sleepless eyes and speechless pain
My fainting spirit grieved in vain;
The blessedness of long ago
Made deeper still my present woe.
Recalling days when faith was bright,
When songs of gladness filled my night,
I pondered o’er my grievous woes
And searching questioning arose;
Will God cast off, and nevermore
His favor to my soul restore?
I asked in fear and bitterness:
Will God forsake me in distress?
Shall I His promise faithless find?
Has God forgotten to be kind?
Has He in anger hopelessly
Removed His love and grace from me?
These doubts and fears that troubled me
Were born of my infirmity;
Though I am weak, God is most high,
And on His goodness I rely;
Of all His wonders, I will tell,
And on His deeds my thoughts shall dwell.
(Psalter Hymnal, #145)
Note how with “the mind set on the Spirit” the psalmist is led through the valley of death, eventually emerging into a sense of life and peace. “However, according to the plain language of Scripture, and the testimony of ever so many Christians, even the believer may experience a tremendous struggle between “the old man” and “the new man,” between doubt and trust, unrest and peace” (see also: Ps. 73, Gal. 5:17; Eph. 4:22f.; 6:10f.; Heb. 12:4).
Anguished saint, fix your heart on the goodness of God in Christ, for His Spirit will lead you to life and peace. In this life and the life to come.
MARANATHA! O Lord, Come! Glory! Warfare over. Sin gone. Tears wiped from your eyes. Eternal joy and bliss. Soon you will be up to your eyeballs in Milk and Honey!