Romans 8:5-8
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In these verses Paul contrasts our "flesh" with the "Spirit". The constrast is stated in verse 5: "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit". If my life is based on the desires and pleasures of my flesh, then my mind will be set on those desires, and that focus will in turn fuel my behaviors. But if I base my life on the Word and Spirit of God, then my mind will dwell on those things, and my behavior will likewise reflect that. This is a common-sense truth, but it is also a critical battleground for many of us. In computer jargon there is a phrase "garbage in, garbage out", because computers are only as good as the data you input. But this applies as well to our minds and our lives, for if we feast on garbage we will produce garbage.
Lord, forgive me for all the time I have spent with my mind on the things of the flesh. Help me to set my mind on the things of the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In these verses Paul contrasts our "flesh" with the "Spirit". The constrast is stated in verse 5: "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit". If my life is based on the desires and pleasures of my flesh, then my mind will be set on those desires, and that focus will in turn fuel my behaviors. But if I base my life on the Word and Spirit of God, then my mind will dwell on those things, and my behavior will likewise reflect that. This is a common-sense truth, but it is also a critical battleground for many of us. In computer jargon there is a phrase "garbage in, garbage out", because computers are only as good as the data you input. But this applies as well to our minds and our lives, for if we feast on garbage we will produce garbage.
Lord, forgive me for all the time I have spent with my mind on the things of the flesh. Help me to set my mind on the things of the Spirit.