Romans 8:6 - SPIRIT LIVING!
Romans 8:6: SPIRIT LIVING!
Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind governed by the flesh is death, but
the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
COMMENTARY PEARL
The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)
I've been accused of being a bit of a control freak. But I
don't usually think of myself that way - I just like to stay on top of
things. My mind tends to race ahead and think about all the steps and
details that need to be done to reach my goals. Sometimes, though, I get
so caught up in my own thoughts and plans that I don't leave room
for God. I obsess about what I want and lose focus on what he
wants.
How about you - what's on your mind today? Or maybe the
better question is who's controlling your mind today? I'm not talking
about aliens or brain implants or government conspiracies, those kinds
of stories that show up in science fiction or in big-screen spy
thrillers. What I mean is the biblical truth that God has given us the
ability to decide what we allow into our minds. What we think about
determines who we become. Our lives tend to move in the direction of our
strongest thoughts.
When we focus on our fears, responsibilities, obligations,
and problems, we allow our minds to be stressed with anxiety and
worry. But when we anchor our thoughts with God's Spirit, then we
experience life and peace. Today consider how your thoughts shape your
expectations, color your perspective, and influence your actions. Remember,
you can relax because God is the source of your power and peace.
You're not in control. He is.
Lord, you are always in control - not me. Keep your truth as
the anchor in my thoughts today and keep me steady when I'm tempted
to try to take control. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.
As followers of Christ, there is no end of things we should
do or ought to do or even must do. There are commands we should
cherish, goals we should embrace, attitudes we ought to cultivate. But
the sad truth is this: In our basic human nature, in our flesh, we
may not have any real desire to do these things at all. Oh, we might
succeed in adhering to a list of "shoulds" and "musts" and "thou shalts"
for a while, but if it's done in our own strength for the sake of
duty, it will never last - and it really won't please God. The apostle
Paul clearly teaches, "The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to
God" (Rom. 8:7). The good news is that the Holy Spirit within us will
freely give us the desire to do God's will. He will supply the want to,
which is far, far more compelling than the have to.
Praise You, God, for giving me the desire to please You, the
desire to put others first, the desire to read Your Word, the desire to
respond in kindness to others. Lord, I couldn't even follow You unless
You gave me the want to. And You have! More and more, I find myself
wanting what You want - and nothing makes me happier. [A Spectacle of
Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby re Psalm 119:36 and Rom.
8:7
Fickle Feelings
When we follow the ever-changing impulses of our carnal
nature, it is not pleasing or acceptable to God, because He has a much
better life in mind for us. We all have times when emotions change
without warning, and it is important that we learn how to handle
ourselves in times like that. If we merely follow our feelings, we will
surely end up making decisions and taking actions that we will regret
later on.
Last Sunday, Dave and I had several people to our house for a
party, and I was energetic and felt great. The next day, for no
apparent reason, I woke up feeling dull-headed and a bit down
emotionally. Why? What is wrong with me? Those are the first questions I
asked myself. I didn't get an answer, so
I had to make a choice. Should I continue to try to figure out
my odd mood and get more and more confused, or should I pray,
asking God to reveal anything He wants me to see and go on about the
business of the day, asking God to help me live beyond my feelings?
I have learned over the years that being a stable, consistent
person requires that I own my feelings instead of letting them own me.
In other words, I may have them, but I cannot let them control me.
Feelings are fickle. They change frequently and often without any notice.
Sometimes we understand why, but much of the time we don't.
Our physical condition can affect emotions. Consider things
like: Did I get enough sleep? or Did I eat something that made me feel
bad? or Is it allergy season? Our spiritual condition can also cause
mood fluctuation: Have I spent enough time with God? Do I have hidden
sin that needs to be dealt with? Is God chastising me about
something?
I recommend praying first to see if God reveals anything, and
if He doesn't, then remain STEADY IN THE STORM. Don't try
excessively to figure out your feelings, because it will get you more and
more focused on them. Trust God, use extra self-control, and very
soon you will feel better.
Father, I desire to be stable emotionally at all times. Help
me stay steady when my emotions fluctuate. I want to live a life
that is pleasing to You at all times, and I trust You to continue
teaching me in this area. [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
Not Everything You Feel Is Right
To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be
controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace Those who obey their
human nature cannot please God (Romans 8:6, 8 GNT).
Learning to manage your emotions is the key to peace of mind.
I want to share with you four important reasons from Gods
Word why you need to learn to deal with what you feel.
1. You need to learn to manage your emotions because they are
often unreliable.
Your gut is often wrong. Your intuition is often flawed. Your
emotions often lead you down a blind alley. You cant depend on
everything you feel!
Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a way that appears to be
right, but in the end it leads to death (NIV). You dont have to
accept everything you feel, because not everything you feel is right or
authentic or will lead you in the right direction.
2. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you
dont want to be manipulated.
If you dont control your emotions, they will control you,
and you will be manipulated by your moods. And if youre always
guided by your feelings, other people are going to take advantage of
you. Worst of all, negative emotions are Satans favorite tool. He
will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in your life.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, Be alert and of sober mind.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour (NIV).
3. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you want
to please God.
God cannot rule your life if emotions rule your life. If you
make your decisions based on how you feel, then youve made your
feelings god, and then God cant be God in your life.
Romans 8:6, 8 says, To be controlled by human nature
results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and
peace Those who obey their human nature cannot please God
(GNT).
4. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you want
to succeed in life.
Study after study has shown that your emotional quotient is
far more important than your IQ when it comes to success. How many
people do you know who ruined their reputation because of something
said in anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of
self-control?
The Bible says in Proverbs 5:23, [People] get lost and die
because of their foolishness and lack of self-control (CEV).
When you choose to follow Jesus, that decision includes your
emotions. So when you say, I gave my heart to Jesus, you gave your
emotions to him so he could manage them. Jesus wants to be Lord of how
you feel, not just what you think and do. He wants to be Lord of
your emotions.
From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly
lives controlled by Gods will and not by human desires (1 Peter
4:2 GNT). [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Let Me control your mind. The mind is the most restless,
unruly part of mankind. Long after you have learned the discipline of
holding your tongue, your thoughts defy your will and set themselves up
against Me. Man is the pinnacle of My creation, and the human mind is
wondrously complex. I risked all by granting you freedom to think for
yourself. This is godlike privilege, forever setting you apart from
animals and robots. I made you in My image, precariously close to deity.
Though My blood has fully redeemed you, your mind is the last
bastion of rebellion. Open yourself to My radiant Presence, letting My
Light permeate your thinking. When My Spirit is controlling your mind,
you are filled with Life and Peace. (Gen. 1:26, 27; Rom. 8:6) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150723-1506.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140205-1717.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
