Answer: We should NOT think about how to gratify the
desires of the sinful nature (or "the flesh"), (verse
14).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Romans 8:1-14: "Therefore, there is
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because
through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from
the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to
do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending
His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And
so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous
requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live
according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set
on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with
the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the
Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It
does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those
controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You,
however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ
is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is
alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him Who
raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ
from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His
Spirit, Who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an
obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live
according to it. For if you live according to the sinful
nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the
misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by
the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Romans 12:2: "Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God's Will is--a His good, pleasing and perfect
Will."
Galatians 6:7-8: "Do not be
deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The
one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will
reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the
Spirit will reap eternal life."
Ephesians 2:1-5: "As for you, you
were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to
live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of
the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who
are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its
desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of
wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich
in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions--it is by grace you have been
saved."
Philippians 3:17-20: "Join with
others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those
who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have
often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live
as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is
destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in
their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship
is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord
Jesus Christ..."
Philippians 4:8-9: "Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have
learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:1-3: "Since, then, you
have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your
minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died,
and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
