For many years I have had what some might call a morbid hobby, collecting obituaries. Why, you might inquire. First, I check to see if my demise has been greatly exaggerated. Second, I look for interesting obituaries. They might be well-known peo- ple from various walks of life such as military, television, radio, singers, religious leaders, atheists, politicians or just ordinary peo- ple whose lives have caught my attention. One that I recently cut out of the paper was of a man whose first name was Richard. These lines caught my eye: “Richard was not a member of a church, but was a deeply spiritual person. He would often say the woods were his cathedral. His quiet reflective time was spent out- doors appreciating the beauty of the natural world around the gorgeous hills of ... where he lived.”
What does it mean to be spiritually minded? Merely going to church does not make one spiritually minded any more than one’s sitting in a hen house makes him a chicken. Paul wrote:
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8.)
To be spiritually minded is the opposite of being carnally minded. One who is carnally minded is an individual whose mind- set is merely on the things of this world, satisfying his own fleshly desires. He has no interest in spiritual things. He is a profane per- son as Esau, who saw no value in what was really important. How spiritual is a person who appreciates the creation, but never looks up to honor and praise the Creator? How spiritual is a per- son who rarely if ever opens his Bible to learn about the Creator and his will for us?
The carnal mind is death, that is, spiritual death, separation from God (Isa. 59:1-2). One can sit on a mountain top, enjoying the scenery, repose by the ocean side, watching the whales blow, or recline in the woods, listening to the birds sing, or relax in a boat, drowning a few worms; but such does not make one spiritu- ally-minded. Yes, I believe we should appreciate and enjoy God’s wonderful world of nature; but that alone does not make one spir- itually-minded.
A spiritually-minded person is one whose mind is stayed on God. Paul wrote, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:1-2.) The spiritually-minded person is one who is renewing his mind in the knowledge of Christ. To the Romans Paul wrote: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, accepta- ble unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not con- formed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:1-2.) One renews his mind in knowledge of the Christ who died for us. Again, in Colossians we read, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is re- newed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Col. 3:9-10.)
To be spiritually minded is to follow the teachings of the Ho- ly Spirit revealed in the word of God. Paul commanded, “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18.) How does one do that? In the parallel letter, he wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you rich- ly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16.) The way in which we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly is by teaching and admonishing one an-
other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. This command is not done alone in the woods or on a mountain top by one’s self. It is done with others. Paul was writing to the church. When the church sings spiritual songs, we are teaching and admonishing one another. The word of Christ then dwells in us richly. At the time in which Paul was writing this, the New Testament had not been completed; so, these songs were led by men who had spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:15). Spiritual songs today can fill our souls with the word of God. These verses cited relate to church assemblies. How is one ad- monishing or teaching if he is at home alone or in the woods by himself?
Being spiritually minded denotes being obedient to the Spirit’s word which says, “And let us consider one another to pro- voke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approach- ing.” (Heb.10:24-25.) How can one be spiritually minded if he re- jects the Spirit’s word by forsaking the assembly of the saints?
A spiritually-minded person is one who spends time in prayer, whether in private or in the assembly. Great men and women of the Bible spent time communing with God in prayer; they did not merely enjoy God’s world. They praised God for his world (Psa. 19:1; 24:1-6). Regardless of Darius’ edict and the punishment for the violation of it, Daniel continued his practice of praying to God.“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Je- rusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Dan. 6:10.) Jesus early in the morning went out into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35). He often prayed. The apostles and early church prayed (Acts 2:42; 6:4; 12:5; 20:36; 21:5).
A spiritually-minded person is one who cares for others. He will try to reach the wayward: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1.) He helps to bear the burdens of others (Gal. 6:2). He rejoices with them who rejoice and weeps with them who weep (Rom. 12:15). No one was or is more spiritual than was Jesus. He went about doing good. He did the Father’s will. He lifted the down- trodden. He cared for the sick and dying. If we would be spiritu- ally minded, we must be like Jesus.
“...to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6.)