What is my mind set upon?

Scripture:

Romans 8:5-8 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. (6) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; (7) the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. (8) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

Observation:

Paul divides people into two categories: those who are dominated by their sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our life on God. Use the Bible to discover God's guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation, ask yourself, What would Jesus want me to do? When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

The power of sin over us died with Christ on the cross. Our "old sinful selves," our sinful nature, died once and for all, so we are freed from its power. The "power of sin" refers to our rebellious sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. Though we often willingly cooperate with our sinful nature, it is not us but the sin in us that is evil. And it is this power of sin at work in our life that is defeated. Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand righteous before God. Here Paul emphasizes that we need no longer live under sin's power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots-we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we were saved we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we can choose to live for Christ

Application:

When you're tempted to entertain certain thoughts in the privacy of your own mind, you may excuse it by saying, "What harm will it do?" The answer is…A lot! Ultimately, you'll become whatever you meditate on. Solomon said, "for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

When Satan wants to tear you down, he doesn't start with an act, he starts with a thought. You see, thoughts aren't yours because they come into your mind. They only become yours when you allow them to move in and rearrange the furniture!

A thought left to ramble through your mind can attach itself to an event in your past and feed on it. The stronger it grows, the weaker you become until all your strength is drained away. Don't let that happen to you! Paul writes, "… take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Take your thoughts captive, before they take you captive!

God's Word says "… to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life… (Romans 8:6). When your mind agrees with your spirit, you're 'spiritually minded.' When it agrees with your flesh, you're 'carnally minded.' It's that simple!

If you want to be spiritually minded, read your Bible every day, because, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things… (Matthew 12:35). Whatever you conceive, you can bring forth. That's why the enemy will do everything he can, to keep you from getting into God's Word. Don't let him!

Romans 8:5 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.

So the question for today is...What is my mind set upon?" Whether I am spiritually minded or carnally minded depends upon the answer to this question!

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to understand the importance of what I set my mind upon. I don't want to be carnal minded today, but spirit minded. For this to happen, I MUST reexamine my thought life today. In Jesus name, amen!"