Tag: Romans 8:5-6

Setting Your Mind

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Do you live according to the flesh? If so, that’s what you focus on.

Do you live according to God’s spirit? If so, that’s the lens you view life.

Literal night and day difference.

A few verses earlier, Paul reminds us Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, which is our flesh. We are free from that law of sin because Jesus condemned that sin to death.

We are free if we have invited the Spirit of God to dwell within us.

Through this, we have freedom from our flesh.

But how do you actually live?

Do you live within your flesh?

The Bible says that brings death. Living in the flesh.

Or do you seek the mind of Christ, which brings life and peace?

Not sure we as Christians ever purposely choose to live within the flesh.

But we do. All the time.

Reaching for more food when your stomach is satisfied.

Watching more television then need be.

Scrolling through your phone, neglecting other options.

Pouring out your bad mood onto unsuspecting family members.

Wanting your way and pouting if you fail to get it.

Choosing first the best of the meal before anyone else gets a chance.

Listening to thoughts that are not of God.

Succumbing to fear believed through lies planted in your mind.

Romans 8 reminds us of our choices: we set our mind on the flesh or the Spirit.

Death and fear or life and peace.

Setting your mind means to purpose.

To go a certain way.

Not sure it means little bumps, as long as you redirect your course back to God.

Finally, verse 9 gives us hope as Paul shares we dwell with the Spirit of God when we belong to him.

The Spirit of God is life. Full of life.

So every time your flesh cries out for itself, remember your are not going to live from within your flesh.

Your goal is no longer to please your flesh.

Instead, set your mind on the Spirit, dwelling within His peace and life.

Photos by Kyle Glenn, Jessica Anderson, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Setting Your Mind on God

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

God made us human.

Flesh.

And when we have not recognized the need for our Savior, we live according to the flesh.

Ourselves.

Satisfying our every “need”.

Romans says when we set our mind on ourselves, it leads to death.

Death.

Literally the opposite of life.

But when we have recognized our desperate need for God, giving ourselves over to Him, we begin to live according to the Spirit.

That means life.

As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, helping us to live according to God’s will and plans.

We set our minds on the things of the Spirit.

And that, my friends, brings life and peace. Ahhhh.

But is it possible to choose death instead while living within the Spirit?

Yes, because we are human.

God allows us to make our own choices, choosing between living in the flesh or the Spirit.

It’s easy to tell if you are choosing to live within the Spirit.

Are your words producing life and peace or death?

Are your actions reflecting life or death?

Do your decisions cause others to recoil in death or thrive within life?

Setting one’s mind is critical, God says so.

Means you purposely align yourself to God’s ways through His Holy Spirit.

It’s a choice.

And then it’s a choice to stay fixed on God.

Choose to set your mind on God.

Ask Him to help you and His faithfulness will continually point you to life.

The choice is yours.

Photos by Meizhi Lang on Unsplash