Continuing
our study of the book of Romans, Paul writes in 8:4 that the righteous
requirement of the law is FULFILLED IN US, who =
do
not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. By our walking according to the sp=
irit,
the law of God is fully completed and satisfied. Today, we will consider how we can experience this kind of walk in our daily living.
Romans 8:5 goes on to sa=
y,
“For those who are according to the flesh mind the things of the fles=
h;
but those who are according to the spirit, the things of the
Spirit.” The
phrase “according to” means, conformity to or depending on. Therefore, to be according to the flesh means to depend on the flesh.&nb=
sp;
Likewise, to be according to the spirit is to depend on=
the
Spirit. We want to depend on t=
he
Spirit!!! However,
according to verse 6, the determining factor for where our dependence lies =
is
OUR MIND. “For (or
because) the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit=
is
life and peace.” The an=
swer
to our dependence on either the Spirit or the flesh has to do with what our
mind is set upon.
Our mind is most crucial. Where
we set our mind, which affects how we think, determines our daily walk and
living. Proverbs 23:7 says,
“For as he thi=
nks in his heart, so is he.” Our life, to this point, is the
expression of our thinking!
This is an astounding realization!&=
nbsp;
It is carelessness indeed, if we do not guard our precious mind. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy
heart (mind) with all diligence, for out of it, are the issues of
life.” The most devasta=
ting
events in human history have occurred because the mind was not properly
guarded. In Genesis (3:1-4) S=
atan
planted a thought within Eve; a thought that caused her to question and
eventually lead Adam to disobey God, resulting in the fall of all mankind.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> In Genesis 6-7 we see that God was
forced to destroy mankind and every living thing (except Noah and his famil=
y)
because “Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continu=
ally
(6:5).”
Why do
we experience feelings of depression, anger, frustration, confusion and
unbelief? Why do we judge,
distrust, and even hate others?
Probably, these are the “fruit” borne out of a mind set =
on
the flesh. In like manner, wh=
at is
the probable cause of a happy, restful, expectant, believing, trusting, ser=
ving
and loving existence? I=
t is a
mind set =
on
the spirit. Our conditi=
on
changes relative to how quickly we change where we set our mind.
In Philippians 4 Paul wrote, “In nothing be anxious, but in
everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to =
God;
And the peace of God, which surpasses every man'=
s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, what things are=
true,
what things are dignified, what things are righteous, what things are pure,
what things are lovely, what things are well spoken of, if there is any vir=
tue
and if any praise, take account of these things.” The Amplified
version of the last part of verse 8 reads, “…if there is anythi=
ng
worthy of praise, think on and weigh—fix your minds on them.”
There is a secret to setting our mind on the spirit according to these
verses. First, pray and
petition. Our prayer takes ou=
r mind
off of the things of the flesh and focuses it on God. Next, be thankful. When we are thankful we are exerci=
sing
to set our mind on the Spirit. The
result of a praying and thankful heart is peace; a peace that GUARDS our he=
arts
and thoughts.
The Word of God is another excellent way to set our mind on the
spirit. The Bible is the thou=
ght of
God. When we read it, H=
is
thoughts are being dispensed into our mind causing our thoughts to change, =
thus
transforming us into His image for His expression (
The decision is ours!
=