Being spiritually minded is an important concept in the Bible, particularly emphasized by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6, which says “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” But what does it actually look like to be spiritually minded in practical daily living?
At its core, being spiritually minded means having your mind focused on spiritual things rather than worldly or fleshly things. It means making decisions based on biblical principles and seeking to please God rather than pleasing yourself or going along with the prevailing culture. Someone who is spiritually minded will have their mind transformed and renewed by God’s truth found in Scripture (Romans 12:2). Their thoughts and attitudes will be shaped by a spiritual worldview rather than a physical or earthly worldview.
Let’s explore some key ways the Bible describes what it looks like to be spiritually minded:
1. Being Led by the Holy Spirit
A spiritually minded person seeks to follow the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit in all areas of life. They demonstrate a sensitivity to the voice, conviction, direction and empowerment of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18, 25). The Spirit guides them into truth, directs them in God’s will, convicts them of sin, and produces His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in their lives (John 16:13, Galatians 5:22-23).
The spiritually minded person crucifies and puts to death the fleshly deeds and desires that are contrary to the Spirit (Romans 8:12-14, Galatians 5:24). They understand that walking in new life by the power and presence of the Spirit is central to what it means to truly follow Christ.
2. Being Renewed in Mind and Transformed in Thinking
The spiritually minded person does not conform to the patterns, mindsets and wisdom of this world, but instead has a transformed mind that aligns with God’s will and perspective (Romans 12:2). This happens by regularly reading, studying, and meditating on the truth of God’s Word which renews the mind (Psalm 1:2, Psalm 119:15, Colossians 3:16). With a mind steeped in Scripture, spiritual thoughts come more naturally and believing the world’s lies becomes less likely.
The spiritually minded person takes wrong thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and brings all thoughts under God’s authority. Their thinking patterns, mindsets, beliefs and thought processes are all evaluated through the lens of God’s truth and shaped accordingly by the work of the Spirit. The shift from fleshly to spiritual thinking is a hallmark of spiritual maturity.
3. Living with an Eternal Perspective
Someone who is spiritually minded recognizes that this world is not their home and lives with their eyes set on eternity (Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Peter 3:11-13). Their values, priorities, ambitions, and thoughts are shaped by an everlasting perspective rather than a worldly temporary outlook. Their life choices and behaviors reflect their motivation to store up eternal treasures in heaven over earthly possessions and pleasures that do not last (Matthew 6:19-21).
This eternal perspective manifests itself in a variety of ways from financial generosity, kingdom-oriented prayer, bold evangelism, compassion ministries and more. The spiritually minded person lives each day with the realization that only what is done for Christ and His kingdom will count for eternity.
4. Demonstrating the Character andPriorities of Christ
The spiritually minded person seeks to increasingly become like Jesus Christ in all their motives, attitudes, values and behaviors (Romans 13:14, Philippians 2:5). Christ-likeness is the goal – looking, thinking, and acting as much like our Savior and King as possible by the sanctifying power of the Spirit. As 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” A spiritual mindset leads to spiritual words, spiritual deeds, spiritual conversations and overall spiritual living.
The priorities of the spiritually minded align closely with what we see modeled by Christ and emphasized in His teachings. Loving God above all else and others as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40), humility, prayerfulness, purity, compassion for the lost and broken, and obedience to God’s Word will mark the spiritually minded believer’s life as they walk the path of following Jesus.
5. Serving God Wholeheartedly
The spiritually minded person does not view their relationship with God as a mere add-on to their busy life. Their passion is to live fully and wholeheartedly for the glory of God in all that they do – seeing their work, family roles, friendships, activities, and talents all as arenas for service to the Lord who saved them (Colossians 3:17, 23-24). They want to use every ounce of their energy, time and resources to honor the Lord by serving Him in spirit and in truth.
This earnest devotion to loving and serving God with abandon shapes the spiritually minded believer’s attitudes and actions. Rather than begrudgingly fitting God into the cracks of their schedule, they center their schedule around pursuits that build God’s kingdom and bring Him glory. Even mundane everyday tasks and responsibilities can be transformed into spiritual acts of worship (1 Corinthians 10:31).
6. Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines
Those who are spiritually minded will devote themselves to spiritual disciplines in order to strengthen their relationship with Christ and grow in godliness. This includes having a consistent prayer life (1 Thessalonians 5:17), regularly reading and studying the Bible (Psalm 119:97), fellowshipping and worshiping with other believers (Hebrews 10:25), practicing fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), meditating on scripture (Psalm 1:2), journaling, memorizing Scripture and more.
The spiritually minded see spiritual disciplines not as religious duties but as life-giving opportunities to experience the transforming grace of God. They understand that just as an athlete exercises their body to grow stronger, engaging in spiritual disciplines will train their hearts and minds to be spiritually healthy and empowered.
7. Maintaining a Clean Conscience Before God
A spiritually minded believer recognizes the importance of maintaining a clean conscience before God by promptly confessing and repenting of any sin that may occur in their life (1 John 1:9). They take serious the admonitions of Scripture to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). There is an earnestness to live a holy life that matches their position as a child of God and follower of Christ.
This doesn’t mean the spiritually minded believer will live perfectly. But it does mean they will be quick to repent, unwilling to tolerate unconfessed sin, responsive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and seeking to regularly walk in the light of God’s truth (1 John 1:7). A clean conscience aligned with Scripture is maintained through consistent self-examination and reliance on the sanctifying power of the Spirit.
8. Demonstrating Spiritual Fruit
As previously mentioned, the spiritually minded person bears spiritual fruit as evidence of their relationship with Christ. Paul describes this spiritual fruit in passages like Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:8-9. It includes qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Holy Spirit produces this Christlike spiritual fruit in the believer’s life as they yield to His control and direction.
The spiritually minded believer also displays the fruit of righteousness in their life, which includes moral and ethical behaviors that align with God’s holy standards (Philippians 1:11, James 3:17-18). As Paul urged, the spiritually minded will “walk by the Spirit” and thus will certainly not carry out the sinful desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Spiritual fruit in thoughts, attitudes, character and conduct marks a life devoted to spiritual things.
9. Being Motivated by Love for God and Others
The spiritually minded person will be driven and motivated by love – love for God and love for other people (Mark 12:30-31, 1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the greatest commandment and the foremost character quality that should mark every believer’s life. The spiritually mature Christian sees everything through the lens of showing unconditional, Christlike love for those around them.
This love for others is rooted in their love for God which overflows out of a heart transformed by experiencing God’s amazing grace and love (1 John 4:19). With this love driving their thoughts, words, and actions, the spiritually minded believer will find their life aligned with God’s two greatest commandments – loving Him and loving their neighbor.
10. Pursuing Peace, Righteousness and Joy
The spiritually minded person pursues spiritual priorities that glorify God – priorities emphasized in verses like Romans 14:17-19, 2 Timothy 2:22, and James 3:17-18. These include pursuing righteousness, pursuing peace, pursuing holiness, fleeing from evil desires and passions, avoiding quarreling and living wisely. There is a rejection of worldly values that promote immorality, discord, foolishness and conflict.
Additionally, the spiritually minded believer seeks to maintain an attitude of joy in all circumstances. They recognize the joy of the Lord is their strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Their spiritual perspective gives them hope, contentment and stable inner joy amidst external trials and suffering (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). Even in the toughest times, their focus on spiritual realities anchors their joy firm in Christ.
In Closing…
The life of someone who sets their mind on spiritual things – the “spiritually minded” believer – is characterized by an intimate walk with the Holy Spirit, a renewed mind steeped in God’s truth, Christlike love motivating their actions, bearing spiritual fruit, living with an eternal perspective, and embracing godly priorities and attitudes. When our mindset becomes aligned with God’s perspective as revealed in His Word, it transforms how we live each day as followers of Jesus.
The more our thoughts, beliefs, values, motivations and priorities reflect those we see modeled by Christ Himself, the more our lives will demonstrate what it looks like to be spiritually minded. And as Romans 8:6 promises, this spiritual mindset brings the blessings of life and peace as we walk in fellowship with God.