For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
In our Sunday sermons, we’ve just completed a slow walk through the first half of Romans 8. A prominent theme was the influence of the Spirit in transforming the way we think and live.
Some of us may desire to meditate a bit more on the concept of the mind set on the Spirit. A great resource is available for deeper consideration of Romans 8:6: Spiritual-mindedness by John Owen.
This edition’s prefatory note explains Owen’s reason for writing the book:
“He wrote it because he was concerned at the great efforts the world makes to draw the mind and hearts of men away from God and spiritual things…
Another reason for writing this treatise was Owen’s concern with the low spiritual and worldly condition of many professing Christians. This treatise calls Christians away from the love of the world and from conformity to it by uncovering the sin and danger of such worldliness.”
“No thanks, I can’t read Owen.” Anyone familiar with the Puritans will regard John Owen as difficult to read. Like, really difficult to read. However, the version I’m recommending is not your mama’s John Owen. Scholars and pastors have done much helpful work in recent years to modernize many Puritan writings so that they are far easier to read. In this case, Anglican Pastor R. J. K. Law has done a masterful job updating Owen’s language so that it reads like a modern work while retaining the sage wisdom and insight of the original. As I read it, I found myself re-reading sentences…but not because I had no idea what they meant! Rather, I re-read sentences because of their profoundly helpful thoughts. This is a version that has successfully removed the “Puritan language barrier.” Thou shalt not fear Owen!
An excerpt for proof:
“When the mind thinks, it thinks of some thing. It has some object in mind. A worldly minded man thinks of worldly matters and objects. A spiritually minded man thinks of spiritual matters and objects.
Now what we need to know is, what are those special spiritual matters or objects which prove us to be spiritually minded? What does a truly spiritually minded person fix his thoughts on when meditating on spiritual things?” [p39]
Maybe I’m crazy, but I think that’s readable, and it truly excites me that this particular work of Owen’s has been made so understandable.
In typical Puritan fashion, Owen wrings out Romans 8:6 for its meaning and application. He helpfully works through not only the objects that the spiritually minded person ought to focus on, but also shows:
- the qualitative difference between the “spiritual” thoughts of the regenerate and unregenerate (how one can be assured that his or her spiritual mindedness springs from true salvation);
- the relationship between the thoughts and the affections (how to use the direction of the thoughts to influence the heart);
- spiritual mindedness is both a grace (a gift generated by the Holy Spirit) and a duty (an active habit of setting the mind on spiritual things);
- what is the product of spiritual mindedness: internal stability, resilience during suffering, and freedom from anxiety.
Now is a great time to read this book because of your very recent familiarity with its subject matter. Owen is concerned to bring broad, detailed, penetrating application to the truths of Romans 8:6. These verses have recently been your mind. And not only that, but the whole flow of thought in which these verses reside is now familiar to you. This will make Owen’s writings all the more accessible to you. So I encourage you, strike while the iron is hot and read it now.
What we do with our minds is of great consequence to the Christian life. This book is a timeless resource for helping us to direct our thoughts and affections toward the Lord. I highly recommend it.
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