"To be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).
The sound mind is one which is no longer controlled by the emotional life but is stayed upon God, enabling the soul to walk by an intelligent faith, calmly, and clearly knowing and doing the right on principle, as well as through love. It no longer places undue importance on "glorious experiences," nor is it entirely guided by "voices," "signs," and "impressions" – because the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly defined to its perception, and it sees and chooses deliberately the path of obedience to God, even when it means great cost to itself. It needs no argument or incentive, or promise of reward, or stirred up emotions, or weighing of consequences, to persuade it to do the right, but it is governed by an inward principle that proceeds from Him, the scepter of whose Kingdom is a scepter of righteousness. 2. A lowly mind "Serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind" (Acts 20:19). The matured soul has lost all delusions about itself! It "soberly" (or solemnly") recognizes its responsibility to cooperate with God up to its "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). There is a shrinking back that keeps the soul from fullest cooperation with God. It must know its calling so that in all lowliness of mind it may be what God has ordained it to be in the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said he knew the limit which God had apportioned to him. He had not stretched beyond his limit in going with the gospel to the Corinthians. He knew his "measure" and the extent of the stewardship of grace entrusted to him. (See 2 Cor. 10:12-17). A matured soul, taught of the Spirit, will know how to use the "measuring rod" so that it may not go beyond its limit (2 Cor. 10:13). Serving the Lord in all humility of mind, it will not be "puffed up" because its calling may be that of an "eye" in the body of Christ, or cast down because its place may be the "feet." (See 1 Cor. 12:15-27.) In deep humility it will do "nothing through vainglory" but in lowliness of mind will esteem others better than itself – for it will see what is better in others, and be so unconscious of itself that comparison will not enter into its thoughts. 3. A spiritual mind "To be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). In Hebrews 5 we are told that babes are unskillful in the word of righteousness because they are only able to take milk, and not solid food. The "wisdom of God"
can only be spoken among the "full grown" (1 Cor. 2:6) – those whom St Paul describes as "spiritual." Speaking not "in words which man's wisdom teacheth," he interpreted spiritual things to spiritual men (1 Cor. 2:13), knowing that the natural man could not comprehend the teaching of God's Spirit. (See the entire passage: 1 Cor. 2:1-16). Enlightened by the indwelling Spirit and daily renewed with the divine life, the powers of the renovated mind can be greatly increased. It can be brought into order and freed from unnecessary or slothful action: its rapidity can be quickened, its power of concentration deepened, its accuracy and retention perfected. Its mental detachment can be marvelously increased to see readily the point of view of others who are also taught of God. It is, so to speak, detached from its own experience in ministering to others, and is able to give them the "milk" or the "meat" according to their need. It is like the man who is instructed unto the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:52), able to bring out of his "treasure" things new and old. Lastly, the truly spiritual man has "understanding" that the divine life, manifested through an earthen vessel, must be given room for development and will be manifested according to the shape of the vessel; it is therefore free from all prejudice, partiality, and preconceived ideas of God's working. Thus the soul is able to "see God" in others, and has a "ready mind" (Acts 17:11) to perceive indications of His will and of His working where others can find no trace.