But when we sin, we are not to condemn ourselves. In verse 1 of chapter 8, Paul tells us, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The word "condemnation" is the word for the sentence itself, and there is no sentence of eternal death to those who are in Christ.

Romans 8:2: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh." We are now free from the penalty of sin and the power of sin. The "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" supercedes the "law of sin and of death".

Remember I gave an example using the law of gravity. When you see a big 747 sitting on the runway, and you realize it weighs more than you can comprehend, if you apply the law of gravity to that fact, then it is impossible for that plane to fly. But, when you look at the power of it’s engines, and watch it take off, you realize that there is a higher law in force, which does not deny the law of gravity but it simply supercedes it. The law of sin and death still works in our flesh, but is superceded by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ.

It is the Spirit that now fulfills the "requirement of the law" in us. We read in Romans 8:4, "in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  What is the requirement of the law? How could we sum it up? Look at Romans 13:9: "For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’"

The flip side is in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Well, verse 1-4 has shown us the role of the Holy Spirit, which is to accomplish in us what the flesh could never do. Now, in verses 5-11, we will see the result of the Holy Spirit being in us. What is the result of the Holy Spirit being in us? We used to be totally under the control of the flesh, but now things have changed since we are in Christ and His Spirit lives in us. Paul is going to show us a contrast of people who have the Holy Spirit living in them and those who do not.

First, he shows the mindsets of those who have and do not have the Holy Spirit. Look at Romans 8:5: "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

"For those who are according to the flesh." The verb here is the present participle, so it is saying their lifestyle is according to the flesh. They live according to the power of the flesh.

Then Paul says they have "set their minds on the things of the flesh. The phrase "set their minds on" is one word, meaning "a fixed mindset." It refers to one that is devoted to something. He is speaking of those who have a mindset that is consistently devoted to the flesh. These are the unconverted who obey the impulses of the flesh. They live to gratify the desires of their corrupt nature. They know no other way

But—note the contrast here. He says: "but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." Paul shows the contrasting lifestyle of those who are unbelievers with those who are believers. Their minds have been changed through repentance and now they are fixed on the things of God.

Second Timothy 1:7 says: "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." These are the ones who have a "saved" mindset. If you think of it as a radio, their minds have now gone from AM to FM. They are on a completely different wavelength.

Next Paul shows the misery of those who do not have the Holy Spirit in verses 6-8. Verse 6: "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." The mind of those who are unbelievers, that is fixed on the flesh, is death. All the aspects of death are in it. They have no ability to enjoy anything pertaining to life. Imagine it if you can. Remember, we used to be that way before we were saved.

But, the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. What a contrast. The Spirit of God dwells in us and therefore we have all the potential of life and peace. The life of God and the peace of God is ours always to enjoy.

Well, the "misery" of those who do not have the Holy Spirit gets worse. Verse 7: "because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so." Paul explains why the mind set on the flesh is death. Again, the word here for mindset means "a fixed attitude." This mindset is hostile toward God. Because of Adam, it is at enmity with God.

Paul says, "for it does not subject itself to the law of God." It has been turned away from God and His law. This is in the present passive voice. The "passive" voice is explained in the next phrase: "for it is not even able to do so." Not at any time is it able to submit to God’s law. It is depraved because of Adam.