Life Minded – Part One
August 11, 2024
Romans 8:5-8 NIV
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.
Flesh and Spirit
Every day, and sometimes hourly, we must decide who oversees our lives. Is it our flesh or the Holy Spirit?
V.5 Those who live … their minds set.
The mind governed by the flesh.
Galatians 5:19-23 NIV
“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.
The acts (works) of the flesh are obvious …
Even unbelievers recognize there’s nothing healthy and whole about this list of behaviors.
When people cast off all restraints, they’re inviting dark forces to wreak havoc on their souls.
Works of the flesh are self-focused, using others to get something for yourself.
These behaviors are an attempt to manipulate our world.
Sin makes us less human. (Show Photo of Smeagol and Gollum)
These behaviors cannot become habits.
The mind governed by the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
“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.”
The Holy Spirit brings life and makes us fully human.
What we feed and water, grows.
The fruits of the Spirit are outward focused, intent on blessing others.
Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Pause, pray, and obey.
Photo of Smeagol and Gollum - https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-smeagol-gollum-name-reason-why/
