THE CHAMPION OF YOUR MIND CONTROLS YOUR PEACE, HAPPINESS, AND DESTINY

SCRIPTURE:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on
what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the
Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
(Romans 8:5)

MEDITATION:
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to all those who belong to Him.
The Holy Spirit was confirmation of His resurrection,
so that in itself shows the importance of the Holy Spirit.
But, is it important for believers to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them?
Paul gives us valuable advice regarding the control of our mind and thoughts.

First he tells us that if our mind is controlled by our sinful nature,
then we will have the same thoughts and desires that the sinful nature desires.
Conversely, if we are living our lives under the control of the Holy Spirit,
then we will have the same desires and thoughts that the Spirit does.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is
life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's
law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please
God. (Romans 8:6-8)
Paul tells us that a mind that is not controlled by the Spirit
will have a gloomy outlook.
In addition, without the control of the Holy Spirit, we are hostile to God
and do not have the ability to submit to, and obey God’s commands.

In fact, we do not have what it takes to please God
if we are being controlled by non-righteous desires.
However, when we yield to the control of the Holy Spirit,
we can enjoy living as we are intended to live, and we can experience
an unusual peace, regardless of what is going on around us.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit
of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Paul suggests that we will be controlled by either a sinful nature (where sin is
overly attractive), or by the Spirit of God (where we have a desire to avoid sin).
We can determine which is controlling our mind and thoughts
by the nature of what we think, do, and say.
If we are not controlled by our sinful nature, then God’s Spirit lives within us.
As a result, we lean strongly toward purity and righteousness.
Lastly, Paul bluntly tells us in this verse, that if we are
not under control of the Holy Spirit, then we do not belong to Christ.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful
nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful
nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds
of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of
God are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-13)
Paul tells us that regardless of which controls our mind, death will be involved.
If we live according to our sinful nature, then we do not belong to God
and will be facing an eternal death (which is not really the end of life, 
but rather the death of our being able to live and fellowship with the Lord 
forever). We also experience the death of enjoying life as God intended for us.
 
Conversely, if we live according to the Spirit, then we are 'sons of God'
and will experience the death of the misdeeds of the body (sin will no longer
be attractive to us and when we do sin, we will feel remorse for our actions).
According to Paul, we have an obligation to ‘crossover’
from the control of our sinful nature to the control of the Holy Spirit.
This means we have to make a conscious effort to change.

ACTION:
Have you determined how your mind is being controlled?
Do any of these sinful natures sound too familiar, or attractive to you?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits
of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live
like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

If you feel that none of the things listed above are a part of your nature,
then can you confirm that you do have the following characteristics?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions
and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 
(Galatians 5:22-26)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You know how my mind is being controlled. Make me
aware if I have not yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I want to enjoy
life now, experience peace, and look forward to spending eternity with You.
Lord, don’t let me go through this life convinced that I am under the control
of the Spirit when I am not. Help me to develop the fruits of the Spirit as
evidence that He is in control. Don’t let me be stagnant and retain the same
attitudes and habits that I had when the Spirit was not guiding my thoughts
and actions. I want to be called a son of Yours and I need You to help me
become the person You want me to be. Teach me to become selfless and
eliminate my selfishness.”