Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. —Romans 8:5
Dominated = Kata
From or of // Come from // Follow after // Down from.
-Where would you say that your thoughts and actions come from? Flesh or the Spirit? Give examples.
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. —Romans 8:6
-Which of these outcomes would describe your thoughts or emotions or actions the majority of the time? (death, destruction or life and peace)
-According to this passage, what spirit is your mind being controlled by? Where are your thoughts “from”?
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. —Romans 8:7
Control = en
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state)
-What does this scripture say about your fixed position and why?
And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. —Romans 8:10-11
-What does this mean?
-How can we simultaneously be dying (in the body) but the spirit be giving us life?
-Do you think this is talking about life after death or life now in spite of our bodily death occurring?
-Why do you see that in this passage?
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. —Romans 8:12-14
-What does verse 12 imply?
-Is this talking about now in an afterlife?
-Does this tell us anything about the context of the previous verses then?
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” —Romans 8:15
-What is the difference between a spirit that makes us spiritual slaves and God’s spirit which we received when he adopted us?