What Does It Mean to be Spiritually Minded According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

What is the main contrast Paul makes in Romans 8:5-8 according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in Romans 8:5-8, Paul is contrasting the non-Christian with the Christian, not comparing different types of Christians. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes: "The apostle here is not contrasting a poor sort of Christian, what is frequently called the Carnal Christian, with a spiritual Christian. That isn't what he's doing at all. He is comparing a man who's not a Christian at all with a man who is a Christian, with any Christian, with every Christian." This distinction is fundamental to understanding the passage correctly.

What does it mean to be "after the Spirit" according to Lloyd-Jones?

To be "after the Spirit" means to be habitually dominated and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Lloyd-Jones clarifies: "The Christian is one whose life is dominated characteristically and habitually by the Spirit." He emphasizes that this refers to the Holy Spirit (not the human spirit) and applies to every true Christian, not just to special or particularly mature believers. As he states, "You can't be a Christian at all unless this is true of you."

How does Lloyd-Jones define "minding the things of the Spirit"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that "minding the things of the Spirit" involves deliberately setting one's mind upon spiritual matters. It's more than intellectual interest—it includes emotions, desires, and feelings. He says: "It is indicative of a man's interest. It tells us about the things which attract him, which interest him, the things which he desires, the things which he pursues." For the Christian, spiritual matters become their primary interest and greatest concern, not out of duty but genuine desire.

What are NOT the "things of the Spirit" according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones clarifies several misconceptions about "the things of the Spirit": 1. They are not merely intellectual pursuits 2. They are not simply an interest in religion ("To be interested in religion and to be interested in the things of the spirit are not the same thing") 3. They are not theology studied in an abstract, detached manner 4. They are not religious phenomena or experiences for their own sake

He warns that people can be interested in all these things without truly minding the things of the Spirit.

What are the positive "things of the Spirit" that Christians mind?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the things of the Spirit include: 1. Concern about one's soul and relationship with God 2. The person and work of Jesus Christ 3. Justification by faith and the way of salvation 4. Union with Christ and sanctification 5. Communion and fellowship with God 6. Prayer and fellowship with God's people 7. Understanding the spiritual state of the world

How can someone know if they are spiritually minded according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones offers this test: "Have you got a taste for these things? Are these the things that are now beginning to hold you and to interest you, to fascinate you, to thrill you more than anything else you've ever known or heard?" He doesn't expect perfect understanding, but a genuine attraction to spiritual matters: "If you can say, 'Well, I don't understand, and a lot of it went beyond me, but you know I feel attracted by those things more than anything else...I wish I knew more...I'm desiring the sincere milk of the word that I may grow thereby'—all right, my friend, that's all I ask."

What is the relationship between being spiritually minded and assurance of salvation?

Lloyd-Jones connects spiritual mindedness with assurance of salvation. He states that understanding this passage helps believers "be quite sure that we are in this position at all and that we are not still after the flesh, but still more important, that we may have the assurance which is derived partly in this particular way and manner." When a person recognizes that they truly mind the things of the Spirit, they can have confidence that they are a Christian: "If so, however young you may be in the faith, however small and weak your faith, however ignorant you may be, I have authority to tell you that you are after the spirit, that you are a child of God and therefore an heir of glory."