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