What are you thinking about? - September 11th, 2011

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

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. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:1-11 (emphasis added)

History and Context:

For a refresher on the history and context of the book of Romans go here. The main point to remember is that Paul is addressing two opposite crowds and beliefs, the Greeks and the Jews. For this reason Paul is attempting to show the balance between two extremes.

The Text:

In chapter seven Paul presents a battle that we all face, in which we find ourselves doing things that we do not even want to do, and the things we want to do we avoid doing. Again, for a bit more discussion on that chapter go here. Here in chapter eight he begins laying out the solution for this battle. He says there is no condmenation for those who are in Christ and walk by the Spirit. But how do we walk according to the Spirit? It starts in our mind. "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." What are you thinking about? If you are thinking about the things of the flesh, than you will walking according to your thoughts, but if you are thinking about the things of the Spirit, that is the way you will walk. Set you mind in one direction and your words and actions will follow.

The Challenge:

Check your thoughts! What are you thinking about? What is constantly on your mind? Does it line up with the Word of God, or is it going against the Word? Is it spiritual or is it carnal? Is it Godly or is it sinful? Where your mind goes your actions will follow. Change your way of thinking and you will change your way of living!

The Prayer:

Lord, help me to think on things of you. Help me to get my mind lined up with your Word. Help me to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen!