Pastor Steve preached on Romans 8:5-14 today. Verse 5 specifically jumped out at me this morning...
Romans 8:5
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Read that again. And maybe again.
And maybe read this one out loud. Then perhaps quietly to yourself...and again...and again...
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
When we work to take every thought captive, to be aware of what goes on in our minds, to change our thoughts, to change our actions, to look more like Jesus and less like the world....we must set our minds on things of excellence. We must focus more on the fruits of the Spirit and less on the desires of the selfish flesh.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us take each and every thought captive. Let our thoughts and our actions bring glory to our Father in heaven.
Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Read that again. And maybe again.
And maybe read this one out loud. Then perhaps quietly to yourself...and again...and again...
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
When we work to take every thought captive, to be aware of what goes on in our minds, to change our thoughts, to change our actions, to look more like Jesus and less like the world....we must set our minds on things of excellence. We must focus more on the fruits of the Spirit and less on the desires of the selfish flesh.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us take each and every thought captive. Let our thoughts and our actions bring glory to our Father in heaven.
Pastor Steve suggested four ways to keep our minds set on the Spirit. I'd like to share them here as I close out this challenge.
1. Prayer - talk with and listen to God. Keep the communication open.
2. Bible study - be in the Word, know the Word, keep it in your heart and ponder it daily.
3. Slow down - take time for solitude and silence with the Lord.
4. Accountability - find someone you trust who can speak with you about the state of your thoughts - we tend to listen to the lies whispered by the darkness...a good friend can help you see those lies for what they are and replace them with truths.
"...and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5
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