MONDAY August 3, 2020

Be Spiritually Minded

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. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6

Paul made a marked separation; he drew the line between the flesh and the spirit. A person is either one or the other––they make a choice. The mind is where a person makes decisions. The mind rules and is in control of a person. Also, the mind is where the Holy Spirit convicts us. We have a will. The soul is the seat of our emotions and intellect; it is where the Holy Spirit resides.

Yet think of how many Christians still live in the prison house of sin. They are supposed to be free, moral agents––no longer living a life of sin. People feel depressed and condemned because they are living a life of sin. In fact, some become so condemned that they no longer have the assurance of salvation––so sad. The mind has been affected. As a Christian, keep this in mind: you will never be at peace with God unless you are daily walking by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In fact, when we live in condemnation, we are saying the blood of Jesus Christ was not enough––that is an insult to the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin––past, present and future. This is a strong message of deliverance in the life of the believer. However, this does not give anyone the excuse to sin, either.

Our position in Christ gives to us complete assurance. There is no more eternal punishment for those who are in Christ Jesus because they live according to the Spirit––not the flesh. They think on the things of the Spirit (Philippians 4:8). Christians who walk in the Spirit have peace with God, and they enjoy peace of mind.

God is “all in all.” He therefore is, or ought to be, the only supreme, absolute object of our thoughts and desires; other things are from and for him only.”
~John Owen~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!