Lord, Get My Mind Right!

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. Romans 8:5

Sometimes we want what we want. I know I do. So what happens when what we want is not according to what the Spirit desires or wills. According to this passage of scripture, we begin to live according to the sinful nature and thus become unable to please God. What’s wrong with the sinful nature? It leads to death and keeps us bound to old and negative things. It does not lead to freedom and life, the two things Jesus came to give us freely.

If we are in Christ, we are no longer bound by sin, nor are we slaves to it. In Christ, we have been set free. However, the process does not stop there. Jesus set us free, but we have to walk in it. We have to choose to walk upright, seeking God’s will for our life, not the life we choose on our own and certainly not the one set by the world’s standard. How do you become acquainted with the will of the Spirit for your life? You spend time in His presence. Here are just a few ways you do that:

• Prayer: Simply talk to him and make your request, concerns, and questions known. Do not forget that praise and worship are an important part of prayer.
• Bible Time: John 1 states that he (Jesus) is the word. When you get in the bible, you are engaging the very presence of God.
• Mediation: Spend quality time reflecting on the word of God, what he has spoken to you, etc. Rick Warren says that if you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate. Worry is simply focusing on the negative and rehearsing. Apply that some concept to the goodness of God’s word and be amazed.
• Fasting: Sacrifices the pleasure of fleshly desires that can distract us and numb our spiritual sense is another way to obtain the mind and heart of Christ in a matter.
• Listening: Once we have done all of the above we must prepare our spiritual ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. He amazingly speaks to us through the engagement of all 5 of our senses and some. All we have to do is be available to hear.

We have the assurance that we are no longer dead in the law of sin through Christ Jesus. Because of his sacrifice when have moments of relapse into that former death state, we have the ability to get back into relationship and life again…and again…and again.

Father, in every area of our life we want to be in line with the will of the Spirit and not the flesh. We repent for wanting what we want. As we delight ourselves in you, give us the desires of our heart. We can to be pleasing to you. Amen

Think about it:
In what areas of your life are you seeking your own will?
Are you prepared to walk in the will of the Spirit?

Tracey Bowen
Miami, Florida