[Dec. 10th, 1854.] I. Its nature. 1. The word (phronein) is used of all inward acts, thinking, willing and feeling. Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus. Set your affections on things above. Minding the things of the flesh. So (phronema) is used either for state of mind, or for thought, feeling, or volition. To mind the things of the flesh, therefore, is to make them the object of thought, desire and pursuit. And the things of the flesh are those things which are adapted to our nature considered as corrupt. The things of the Spirit are those things which the Spirit reveals as the proper objects of thought, desire and pursuit. And to mind them is thus to make them the object of our meditation, desire and pursuit. And the (phronema tes sarkos) is either the inward carnal disposition or the actual pursuit, desire and thought of which the flesh is the object. And so of the phrase (phronema tou pneumatos). Spiritual-mindedness, therefore, is that state of mind which manifests itself in making the things of the Spirit the great object of thought, desire and pursuit. The things of the Spirit are God, Christ, truth, holiness, the interests of Christ’s kingdom and heaven.
To the spiritually-minded these objects are, 1. The great subjects of their thoughts. Their minds are occupied with them. They are in communion with them. They dwell upon them in meditation. They study them. They spontaneously think of them by the way, and in the watches of the night.
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They are also the great objects of desire or affection. Their hearts are set upon them. They are the sources of their peculiar enjoyments.
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They devote themselves to the enjoyment or promotion of these objects. This supposes, of course,
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That these things appear to the spiritually-minded as true. They are not the objects of sight or knowledge, but of faith. But they are real and true in their apprehension.
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That they are most lovely and excellent. The state of mind in question arises out of the perception of the glory of the things of the Spirit, i.e., out of spiritual discernment.
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That they are seen to be of infinite importance. The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
II. The effects of spiritual-mindedness. To be carnally-minded is death. It not only leads to death, but is death. That is, death consists in the degradation, the corruption, and the misery which are involved in this state of mind. To be spiritually-minded is life and peace. That is, the life and blessedness of the soul consist in the elevation, the holiness and happiness involved in being spiritually-minded.
The reason of this is that God is the true life of the soul, the source and object of life. The former state of mind is separation from him; the latter involves fellowship and communion. Sin is separation from God, and therefore death. Holiness is union with God, and therefore life. This death and life are here inchoate; hereafter they are to be complete.
III. Method of attaining spiritual-mindedness. 1. Reconciliation to God through Christ. This is the first condition of union. 2. Participation of the Holy Spirit as the gift of Christ. 3. Constant use of the means of grace and strenuous self-discipline, extending to the thoughts, feelings and outward life.
IV. Fruits. These are excellence, happiness and usefulness.
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