Renew Your Mind
The principle of living in sin, and giving into sin because of our feelings of condemnation and our mindset is not just a mere theory. We need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (mindset) in Christ. Paul is making a desperate plea for that renewal of our mind as explains the principles of condemnation and a mindset of sin. 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 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. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 Those who live according to the flesh, by continuing in sin, do so because their mind is set on the sinful desires of the flesh.
Why do we set our minds on the things of the flesh, the sin life? It is because the enemy our souls, the great deceiver Satan, would have us to believe that there is no other choice. I have spoken to many people who tell me they continue to sin because it is just the way it is. But it need not be so! If we set our mind on the things of the flesh it is death. This death is more than physical but it is emotional and spiritual as well. If we walk through life feeling as though we have no choice but to sin, then we will be emotional destroyed, and spiritually impotent.
The apostle Paul makes an interesting point here. The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. The only people that I know that are hostile to me I consider my enemies. So aren't we actually making ourselves enemies to God, even if only temporarily, when we set our minds on the condemnation of sin, and the subsequent sin life? The carnal mind does not submit to God’s law, not because it doesn’t want to, but because it can’t. May Romans 8:8 really hit home with us. If we continue in this fleshly mindset we cannot please God. And that is why our mind needs to be transformed and renewed.
Gracious God and Father,
I know that I cannot please you in my mind is set on the things of the flesh. Lord renew my mind and heart that I may set them on the things of the Spirit.
Why do we set our minds on the things of the flesh, the sin life? It is because the enemy our souls, the great deceiver Satan, would have us to believe that there is no other choice. I have spoken to many people who tell me they continue to sin because it is just the way it is. But it need not be so! If we set our mind on the things of the flesh it is death. This death is more than physical but it is emotional and spiritual as well. If we walk through life feeling as though we have no choice but to sin, then we will be emotional destroyed, and spiritually impotent.
The apostle Paul makes an interesting point here. The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. The only people that I know that are hostile to me I consider my enemies. So aren't we actually making ourselves enemies to God, even if only temporarily, when we set our minds on the condemnation of sin, and the subsequent sin life? The carnal mind does not submit to God’s law, not because it doesn’t want to, but because it can’t. May Romans 8:8 really hit home with us. If we continue in this fleshly mindset we cannot please God. And that is why our mind needs to be transformed and renewed.
Gracious God and Father,
I know that I cannot please you in my mind is set on the things of the flesh. Lord renew my mind and heart that I may set them on the things of the Spirit.
posted by Pastor Jerry at
7:52 AM
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