Spirit Vs Flesh

The battle for control of our lives takes place in our minds!

There are two opposing mindsets.

These two mindsets affect ALL OF LIFE!

— How we view life

— What we value

— What motivates us

— How we behave

What we think about impacts what we do and become!

Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

SPIRIT

–Mind of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17

–Sees life from God’s point of view and

seeks to live in a way that pleases

Him

–Lose interest in the things of the flesh

–Esteems others above yourself

–Life

Full and abundant life on earth

John10:10

Eternal life in heaven with God

–Peace

–Friend of God

FLESH

— Mind of the world

–Allows the direction of our lives to be

determined by our sinful nature

–No interest in (hates) the things of the

Spirit

–Self-Gratification

–Death

Physical death, spiritual death

Eternal death in Hell separated from God

–Conflict

–Enemy of God – does not submit itself to God’s law

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The cross is foolishness to them who perish 1 Corinthians 1:18

Unable to understand spiritual things

Satan is the one who blinds us to the truth. Satan doesn’t want us to see and understand our desperate spiritual condition and our need for salvation through Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we (talking about we who are saved) have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

How can you have the mind of Christ?

–Come to know Christ as your Savior

–Spend time in His presence and in His Word, allowing His Holy Spirit to instruct you.

–Do not feed or make provision for your flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14)

?The story of the Indian boy and the two “wolves” fighting within him

–Choose daily to set your mind on the Spirit

?Living by the flesh comes naturally, you must CHOOSE to live according to the Spirit

Choose Christ!

Choose the mind of Christ!