Control of the Mind

Scripture: 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. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Observation: There is a clear instruction here about our thought life ... our minds do NOT control our actions, but are actually controlled by either our flesh or God's spirit.

Now, based on those influences, our minds then drive our actions. However, it is important to understand whom the first actor is in our lives. It is either our earthly, sinful desires, or it is the Holy Spirit working within us.

There are long lists about those sinful desires, and it is by these lists, therefore, we can understand when we are listening in our minds to the base desires of our flesh. These are almost always tied toward the objective of bodily pleasure and physical relaxation.

Application: This provides an interesting roadmap to understanding when I am behaving outside of the will of God, and when I am within his will. When I am seeking to physically please myself - and that can take many forms, including just basic idleness - I am allowing my flesh to drive my mind.

So what does a Spirit lead mind pursue? It pursues the relaxation of the spirit. And we know that relaxation manifests as "fruit" ... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. When I experience these things, I know I am always in a great mood. I am often uplifted, happy, thriving, and in turn relaxed in body and mind.

Bodily pursuits are meaningless and earthly, and they are evidence of a flesh-driven mind. Spiritual pursuits produce tremendous results to ourselves and others, and are evidence of a spirit-filled mind. In seeking my way daily, then, paying attention to which pursuits benefit which element of my life can then guide me to discern the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, may I listen carefully for your still, small voice. I will strive to follow the Holy Spirit in my daily walk, forgoing earthly pursuits of the flesh. Amen.