Set Your Mind on the Spirit

Romans 8:5-6

“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.”

Reflections

We live in a world with distractions all around us and holding a thought pattern seems like a lost art. In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Paul says he does not run aimlessly or fight as one flailing at the air; but rather he disciplines his body and brings it into subjection, so that in his Christian walk he will not be disqualified. This same discipline is vital as we think about what we set our minds on. 

Galatians 5:19-21 list the works of the flesh: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like. That list sounds like the world around us. It sounds like the “wrongs” that many are calling “rights.” It sounds like what radio, tv’s, and streaming devices are set on regularly. And sadly, our minds become filled with things of the flesh.  And yet, our passage today reminds us to set our minds on the Spirit.

According to Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” When we recognize we are lost in our sin and in need of a Savior, God Himself loves us so much that He gives His one and only Son to pay the price for our sin. When we believe in the sacrifice that Jesus gave and surrender our lives to Him, we receive the Holy Spirit as our companion for life. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

These things of the Spirit will change the atmosphere of the rooms we walk into. People will notice a marked difference in us if we live in this vein of being Spirit-led. Even in our struggles we can reflect peace in the knowledge that God is for us, not against us. In our upside down world, oftentimes, the reflection we desire for people to see is that of happiness and success, but there is no way to live in this broken world without being impacted by pain and sorrow. There are times when our lives are devastated by the ravages of sin or loss. As we determine our mindset and live as Spirit-led believers, no matter our circumstances, we can have both life and peace.

Is your desire to reflect a temporary picture of happiness or the fruit of His spirit within you?

Prayer

Lord, I desire to live in the power of the Spirit no matter my circumstances. Help me keep my mind on You and reflect Your Spirit to others.