Dr. David Jeremiah, in a study on Romans 8:5-8, has a lesson on how our MINDSET affects our spiritual life. Our ‘mindset’ – this is nothing new – we call this concept our perspective, our worldview, or the lens in which we choose to filter all that we take in.
Romans 8:5-8 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. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Take a step out of your current thoughts, concerns, and cares of this world and consider this word:
Dr. Jeremiah asks us to look at the letters and separate the first four from the last. The ‘H’ represents Him – His Spirit.
What Paul is saying, is that our minds and our focus are to be set on Him… focused on Him… learning to walk in accordance with His Spirit and His will.
But many of us are backwards. Our backs and our minds are turned against Him.
In this way, read the letters as you see them, backwards… with this posture, we are focused on S-E-L-F.
I love this visual! Once again, it’s not rocket science. We are either self-focused or God-focused. We love Jesus and what He says and what He did for us but, we still want things our way.
Paul says the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Our stubborn wills that want to glance at God to praise Him for all that He is and then turn back to also want to glorify ourselves will never have abundant life nor will we have peace.
This is a battle of the will. His will for us vs. our desires to have things our own way and begging God to agree. (Spoiler alert – it’s not going to happen. It didn’t for Jesus, it won’t for you. Matthew 26:39) If you are a Christian still struggling, this doesn’t affect your salvation – it affects your peace. It affects your testimony and your witnessing to unbelievers about the power of God to save. Why does that matter?
Paul also says that the mind focused on the flesh leads to death. You are a role model to the people around you, the people you love. How can you bring others to the knowledge of eternal salvation if your actions demonstrate a preference for living your life on your own terms? Why shouldn’t they look at you and say… if she can live that way and be saved, then so can I.
Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. [Matthew 11:28]
Paul tells us to quit conforming to the world and allow the renewal to happen. [Romans 12:2]
And remember, Jacob’s wrestling? [Genesis 32:24] He thought he was preparing to battle with his brother Esau, but ended up with the realization that his entire life has been battling the promises of God. God won’t zap you into submission, even though He could. [Genesis 32:25]
We all must wrestle with God until daybreak. [Genesis 32:26]
We were all given the Spirit as a deposit when we became believers. [2 Corinthians 1:22] You cannot lose that; nor will the Spirit take over without your consent. You must choose. [2 Timothy 1:7]
🙏🏼 Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your patient and enduring faithfulness and love. Soften our hearts and clear our minds that we see Your truth and strengthen our trust in You and You, alone. Help us let go of our ‘self’ as we have defined it so that we may turn to you, our Creator and discover the abundant life that You have designed specially for us. Give us that peace that surpasses all understanding to guard our hearts and minds. [Philippians 4:7] We pray this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.