MIND OVER MATTER

Romans 8:5-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Life in the Spirit

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.


What is on your mind? I am not asking about your thoughts as you perform the tasks required of you (work, raising children, education, etc.). Those thoughts are generally not the problem. This question relates more to your down time. Where do your idol thoughts take you? Are these thoughts dominated by your sinful nature or are they under the control of the Holy Spirit?

If you had a new technological gadget which was able to capture, record and play back all your idol thoughts, would your recording be G … PG … R … or X rated? Would you be comfortable sharing your recording at the dinner table with your family, your parents, your co-workers or your Sunday School class? Would it be pleasing to God if it was the trailer before your prayer time?

The next time your sin nature takes your thoughts somewhere they don’t need to be, reign them in by the power of Holy Spirit living in you.

PRAISE REPORT & PRAYER REQUEST: The young man, Kentarus Christmas, I asked you to pray for a couple months ago who had gotten into serious trouble has been released from jail. The grand jury looked at the circumstances surrounding his actions and decided not to issue an indictment against him. I now ask you to pray for him as he looks at life ahead. May he find a path to travel which will lead him to a positive and Spirit-filled future. May he also be repentant, find forgiveness and receive peace from God for the guilt of his actions.