Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.  Romans 8:6-8 AMP

Without Christ in your life, your mind is carnal, fleshly, and worldly. Even if you do receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, you still need to renew your mind to the word and submit it to both your own recreated spirit and the working of the Holy Spirit so that you can please God, have peace of mind, and live a godly life.

And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins 2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings].

 

We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).  Ephesians 2:1-5 AMP

Before you met Christ, you were dead in your sin. If you had died physically, you would have gone straight to hell. Sin and darkness reigned in your spirit, your mind, and your body. You did not know any better. You were just imitating everyone around you and following the ways of the world. You were under the influence of society and demon spirits, your behavior governed by your corrupt and sensual nature; obeying the impulses of your flesh and the thoughts of your mind. Your cravings were dictated by your senses and your sinful imaginations. However, because God loved you so much, He sent Jesus Christ to take your place, to bear your sin and your judgment. You were in Him when He died and in Him when He was made alive. Because of Jesus, your life is redeemed – the first step toward peace of mind and freedom from the devil and the world’s system.

Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 AMP

Some people are born again, but they have never given their mind and flesh completely over to the Lord. They are still in bondage to sin, death, and the devil. Sin is deceptive – it promises freedom and happiness, but it delivers only bondage, fear, and darkness. If you want to walk free from the bondage of a carnal mind, you need to make some choices. No one else can choose for you. You are the only one who can make these choices for you.

 

You need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior in every area of your life: you need to choose to believe God’s word; you need to make a decision to walk free from sin and death; you need to strip off your former nature (your old unrenewed self) that was corrupted through the lusts and desires that spring from delusion; you need to choose life. You need to make a decision to allow God’s word access into your life, daily, to change everything in you and, therefore, everything in your life. You need to work constantly to renew your mind and refresh your attitude. You need to put on your new nature – which is created in God’s image – in true righteousness and holiness, by obeying God’s word.

Ephesians 5:26 AMP says that Christ sanctifies the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things and so that she might be holy and faultless. Submit yourself to the word. Allow it to penetrate you heart and mind and change you from the inside out. The more you submit your life to the word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, the more freedom and peace are released into you!