Spirit-Tinted Glasses

Life perspectives, worldviews as some call them, are important. They serve as the lenses through which we view life and our experiences. They interpret the meaning of the events of our lives and they set our priorities.

Paul writes in Romans 8.5—“For those whose lives are according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those whose lives are according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.” (HCSB)

The issue here is focus. Those who are focused on the flesh—the material existence of the body in this materialistic world--will devote all time, energy, and thought to the things of material existence. This results in an existential lifestyle—living for the validation of the moment through whatever means possible. Since each moment is fleeting and material existence is temporary (always fading away), this is fruitless. Happiness cannot be found here. Even Buddhism recognizes this with its teaching that all of life is unsatisfactory.

Unlike Buddhism though, Paul does not find the answer to this in an awakening experience from within. Instead, when we come to faith in Christ, we are “new creations.” We are remade. We now have a spirit (Roms. 8.9). As Christ rose from the dead, we also came to life—spiritual life (Roms. 8.10-11).

Thus, we can have a spiritual focus—spirit-tinted lenses. This mindset can bring life and peace (Roms. 8.6). Life can be satisfactory—not because it is changed but because we are changed. Our focus, our search for meaning, purpose, and contentment become rooted in the things of the Spirit and not the temporary existence of material life. In contrast, the fleshly perspective is death, hostility to God, inability to submit to God, and being unable to please God.

How we think determines how we act. The change to a spiritual perspective will lead to actions, choices, and decisions based on the spiritual perspective. As Paul puts it, walking according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh (Rom. 8.4). Since our choices shape our lives, spiritual choices will create a spiritual life.

Father, help me to see my life only with the lenses of the Spirit. Forgive me of my “fleshliness.” Help my walk to be a spirit walk and not a fleshly walk. Help me to live in the Spirit and not in the material. Grant me the life and peace that are the result of a spiritual focus. Amen.