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Romans 8:5 - Choices Determine Destiny.

Romans 8:5 - Choices Determine Destiny.

Romans 8:5 (NIV)  Those who live according to the sinful nature 
have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live 
in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the 
Spirit desires. 

   "Controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit" Rom. 
8:5-9a. So many illustrations have been offered to clarify what Paul was 
saying here. Some speak of a tug-of-war between the Spirit and the 
flesh. Whichever side you choose to pull with will win. Some suggest a 
teeter-totter. The sinful nature is on one end, the Holy Spirit on the other. 
And you tip the balance. These, and other illustrations, make a 
common point. There's a competition between God and man's mortal, 
sinful nature. The Spirit urges us to go in one direction and the flesh 
urges us to go another. And, each of us can choose. We can choose to 
follow the Spirit's leading, to pull with the Spirit, to add our weight 
to His side of the teeter-totter. Or we can choose to go the way of 
the flesh. 
   How gracious God is. Even now, He does not say "You must." 
That would be Law. Instead He reminds us that, because of Christ, and 
in the power the Spirit gives, "You can!" [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary] 

   "He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to 
your mortal bodies" Rom. 8:9b-11. "You can!" is one of the hardest 
things for a Christian to truly believe. We're so used to failure that 
down deep many of us are convinced, "Well, I can't!" When that 
conviction overwhelms you, remember the nature of God's power. God's power, 
exercised by the Holy Spirit, raised Jesus from the dead. That same power, 
exercised by the Holy Spirit, is fully capable of taking your 
mortality--your deadness--and making you live! And, this same verse says, His 
Spirit "lives in you." 
   Of course "I can't." But because God's Spirit lives in every 
true believer (v. 9b), you can! 
   To approach any spiritual challenge with the confidence that 
"I can" isn't presumption, it's faith. Faith that God's Spirit 
living in you will give you the power you need, despite your mortality, 
to succeed rather than fail. 
   Actually, this is how you and I add our weight to that inner 
tug-of-war, or climb on the Spirit's side of that teeter-totter. We say, "I 
can," confident that the Spirit will act in and through us. 
   And then, we do! [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]

   One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle 
that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 
wolves. 
   "One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, 
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, 
superiority and ego. 
   The other is God. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, 
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, 
and faith." 
   The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his 
grandfather, "Which wolf wins?" 
   The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." [source 
unknown] 

   There are so many forces in the world that aim to control our 
minds: the media, trends and advertising, secular philosophy, and 
materialism. Yet none of these brings us real life. Through computers, 
television, malls, and music, the enemy comes in like a flood to distract 
us, capture our minds, and dominate our thoughts. There's also our 
own sinful nature, which today's verses say will lead to death if we 
give over the controls of our life to it. But the good news is in the 
last part of verse 6: "If the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there 
is life and peace." Yielding our minds and thoughts to Christ Jesus 
will result in a spirit of calmness, a quiet confidence that he is in 
control no matter what is happening in the world around us. When the 
Spirit controls us, we are able to think about things that please God 
and, as this verse describes, he will allow our hearts to experience 
life and peace.  
   LORD, I want your Holy Spirit to control my mind, heart, and 
thoughts so that I can experience life and peace. I yield my mind to you 
today. Direct my thoughts. Cause me to think about things that please 
you. Guard my mind from being controlled by anything that is contrary 
to your ways. Thank you for setting me free from sin and death 
through the power of your Life-giving Spirit!  
   Holy Spirit, think through me until your ideas become my 
ideas. Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller 
re vv. 5, 6] 

Despite our weaknesses, with the Spirit's help we can live holy 
lives. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]  

Don't you know that you become the slave of the one you turn 
your life over to? If you turn your life over to sin, it will 
eventually kill you. If you turn your life over to doing what is right, 
you'll receive eternal life. Romans 6:16 (CWR)   

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php

Excellent Spiritual Resource Site: 
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/   

More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com