Battle of the mind

Romans 7:25 NIV

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. 

The Greek word for "mind" here is "νοῒ" or "νοῦς" (G3563), which is the reasoning faculty.  I think it is fascinating that I receive spiritual instruction/directives from God and am thus a slave to God's law in my mind, instead of some other faith organ. (The same word is used in Romans 12:2.)  It is also interesting to me that the "mind" used only a few verses away in 8:6-7 is actually a different Greek word. The Greek word in 8:6-7 is "φρόνημα" (G5427), and here are definitions from HELPS Word-studies: 

phrónēma (a neuter noun) – properly visceral opinion (the innermost, personal level of opinion); inner perspective as it determines (regulating) outward behavior, especially as it bears on the outward results (i.e. of exercising personal insight). Note the suffix, -ma, pointing to the result of the verbal idea. 

phrónēma – ("the results of gut-insight") connects how the individual processes opinion-making to how they act.

You can see how several different translations try to communicate that concept for "mindset" in Romans 8:6-7:

(NIV) The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

(NASB) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

(ESV) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

(NKJV) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

(DLNT) For the way-of-thinking of the flesh is death, but the way-of-thinking of the Spirit is life and peace. Because the way-of-thinking of the flesh is hostility toward God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, for it is not even able.

Thinking (no pun intended) about the connection of Romans 7:25 and 8:6-7, it is not enough to think or reason about God, but we must consciously and intentionally use our mind to set our will to follow the Spirit.  As a consequence of sin, the impulses of the corrupted flesh are so hard-wired to control the mind.  We must be vigilant in denying these impulses, and instead, as a matter of internal will, choose to obey the Spirit.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a mind to hear you speak to me.  Holy Spirit, I want my mind to be governed by you.  I want to set my will to act in obedience to you.  Lord Jesus, I want to follow your example of walking in obedience to your Father and in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Lord, please help me grow in maturity and discipline in denying the impulses of the flesh.  I want to trust you and obey you.  I want to love you and honor you in the way that I live, which is a result of my mindset and heart-posture.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.