Mind Control

As I adjust to my new role, I am finding some unexpected challenges with my level of activity and fatigue. It is probably something that I will need to be aware of and manage more closely. While I am thankful for the improvement, I realize that I just can’t jump back into a mode of activity that I was use to five years ago. As part of that my daily postings may not as “daily” as they have been the last three plus years.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:5,6 NIV

These verses were read at a recent Christians Business Association Prayer Breakfast. It was at the time I was reading through the Book of Romans. The simplicity of these verses arrested my attention.

So often we look for keys to spiritual vitality and living a victorious life. We all face temptations of various kinds. Paul had just confessed, Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;  but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” (Romans 7:21-23 NIV)

In writing to the Ephesians Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit opposed to the “works” of the flesh. The Apostle John addressed this struggle in his first epistle.  “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16 NIV)

Although the temptations faced are timeless and universal, there is help and hope. Paul in Romans chapter 7, declares hope in God when he answers the question, “Who shall deliver me from this body of death?”  “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25 NIV) The grace and mercy of God is greater than our sin and our human nature.

But we all have a responsibility. It is to live according to God’s Spirit and it is found in “taking thoughts captive and bringing them into obedience to Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:5) Our thoughts drive our behaviors and our behaviors are what lead to sin. So, the key is control of our thought life.

Paul puts it simply, Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” It is not the occasional thought or thinking pattern that gets us in trouble or enables us to experience victory, but the focused attention on either the carnal nature or on Christ and His will. 

This is a passage that you don’t need to be a biblical scholar to understand. This is Paul in his clearest presentation. He says, “you can’t please God, when your thoughts are on pleasing the sinful nature.” Makes sense, no argument with that.

The issue is how often do we “catch ourselves” and redirect our thoughts and our focus? That becomes the issue and the challenge. We can trust God’s Spirit to get our attention and then help us to know where to focus our thoughts.

If there is any question, Paul writes to the Philippians with this advice, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things….And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8,9 NIV)

Remember, “…the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 NIV)

Prayer for today…. Lord, help us to consistently experience life and peace that comes from you as we focus our thoughts on that which is according to Your will.