February 25, 2014
What’s on your mind? Sounds like a loaded question, doesn’t it? At any moment, most of us are mulling over a myriad of thoughts. But, this question is about getting down to that which is most basic.
"those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8.5)
Essentially, the question before us is: do I have a spiritual mindset, or a worldly one? If I were to categorize my thoughts, are they primarily focused on the things of God, or the things of the world?
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8.6-9)
Mindset is monumentally important. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23.7) The tremendous advantage a child of God has is that of a Spirit of God mindset. It produces “life and peace”. Without this Spirit mindset, it is as impossible to please God in thought as it is for water and oil to mix. Our natural mindset is radically opposed to the mind of God.
The fundamental difference between a child of God and a non-believer is this area of mindset. To belong to Christ is to have the Spirit of God dwelling within, generating a new mentality. And, this mindset is to be cultivated and nurtured: “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.2) For this reason, we are challenged to mentally cultivate the life of the Spirit by choosing the mindset of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise” (Philippians 4.8)
We are what we think. Thankfully, believers enjoy the privilege of a Spirit mindset. But, it is a continual choice to nurture that mindset. A continuous mental diet of anxious, sensual, violent, and exploitative thoughts will seriously hinder the life-giving and peaceful mindset of the Spirit. May Spirit-directed thoughts be a blessing to you today, and to others you impact today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8.5)
Essentially, the question before us is: do I have a spiritual mindset, or a worldly one? If I were to categorize my thoughts, are they primarily focused on the things of God, or the things of the world?
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8.6-9)
Mindset is monumentally important. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23.7) The tremendous advantage a child of God has is that of a Spirit of God mindset. It produces “life and peace”. Without this Spirit mindset, it is as impossible to please God in thought as it is for water and oil to mix. Our natural mindset is radically opposed to the mind of God.
The fundamental difference between a child of God and a non-believer is this area of mindset. To belong to Christ is to have the Spirit of God dwelling within, generating a new mentality. And, this mindset is to be cultivated and nurtured: “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.2) For this reason, we are challenged to mentally cultivate the life of the Spirit by choosing the mindset of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise” (Philippians 4.8)
We are what we think. Thankfully, believers enjoy the privilege of a Spirit mindset. But, it is a continual choice to nurture that mindset. A continuous mental diet of anxious, sensual, violent, and exploitative thoughts will seriously hinder the life-giving and peaceful mindset of the Spirit. May Spirit-directed thoughts be a blessing to you today, and to others you impact today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:31 AM
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