There is a big difference between being carnally minded and spiritually minded. One thing that I am learning is that you can’t be in both. You have to choose from where you want to live from, the flesh or the spirit. James explains regarding living in these two minds.
James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Those who are carnally minded, believe they are sinners even though they have repented from sin. Their confession is that they are sinners saved by grace. Have you ever noticed that those who confess this, have no peace in their life. They seem to revert to striving against sin, and yet, Jesus has already won that battle they are fighting. This makes no sense to me. I have heard them use verses like Romans 3:23, or 1 John 1:8, or even Romans 3:10 to defend their position. They are actually using the scriptures to defend sin rather than Jesus’ work on the cross defeating sin.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
I want to use some verses that actually contradict the natural or carnal mindset with the spiritual. You will be able to see clearly the contrast between the two and determine from which mindset you want to live from. Carnally minded thinks Romans 7:18.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Spiritually minded thinks Philippians 4:13, Ephesians 3:16 and Colossians 1:9-12.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
The next one, carnally minded thinks Romans 7:19.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Spiritually minded thinks Philippians 2:13.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
The next one, carnally minded thinks Romans 7:20.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Spiritually minded thinks Galatians 2:20.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The last one, carnally minded thinks Romans 7:23.
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Spiritually minded thinks Romans 6:7.
Romans 6:7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
I hope you get the just of the carnally minded and the spiritually minded difference.
Romans 8: 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.