Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
The human being has the ability to have one of two minds, a mind of the flesh or a mind of the spirit. The mind of the flesh thinks like a flesh creature.
Flesh thinking is explained in the Scriptures as very distructive. Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
May we, as believers, move far from flesh thinking. Flesh thinking is basically thinking thoughts only about yourself; Thoughts away from God and His people.
Spiritual thinking is God-centred or God-focused thinking. It seeks to bring God into the flow of life. It brings peace because it is based on the foundational truths of God and not the whim of man.
God's foundational truths are lived out by the fruit of the Spirit in us. God moves us at the heart of our very being. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
God ususally exposes our thinking by exposing our actions. But good actions do not neccessary mean good thinking because we can fake good action for awhile. Long term living is the way the LORD exposes the thinking of man. How are you thinking? Look at life in the long term. Do you desire to love the LORD with all your heart? Do you want to serve your fellow man? Do you long to see the works of God in your life as you serve and please Him? It is because you are renewing your mind into the image of the Son.
God wants us to think like Him. To live to the glory of Him. True peace and life is found here and only here!
1 comment:
Hi Pastor Alan,
I am one of the churches preschool moms. I have started reading the blog a few days ago. With today's reading I find myself wanting to rely more on the Spirit.Especially when my patience wears thin in parenting, to remember to pray for the Spirit's help is a good thing. I appreciate the blog.
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