For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6 (NASB)
When
in grade school, I remember struggling with the multiplication
tables. They just looked like a hodge-podge of numbers that made no
sense. To this day, I'm not sure but what I was right but have come
to grips with the need for knowing them. I recall a teacher using a
phrase I often heard my Grandma Benbrook use. My teacher's word of
advice was: “Glendarae, you have to set your mind to it.” I
knew what she meant because I had heard her use that saying if I was
struggling with anything else at the time. Country folks often used
that phrase so it came naturally in my grandma's vocabulary.
For
several years now, I have loved Romans 8. It is filled with
love, security and encouragement, all in abundance. Any Christians
need those things from their Heavenly Father. Just as children need
those things from their earthly parents, the need is even greater
from their Heavenly parent.
However,
there is much more to the chapter than warm words of affection. I've
read this chapter over and over for several years, but it's only been
in recent days, the Holy Spirit has stopped my reading at about verse
8. In the translation I am using, I came across a word that caught
my attention. I saw from verses 5 through 7 the word “mindset”
four different times.
Although
I know in my mind what “mindset” means, I looked up a few sources
for the definition of the word. I came to the conclusion that a mind
set is just that...having set ones mind in an established way of
thinking or reasoning. My mindset is my established thinking about
anything. In that process, I've set my mind on any number of things
that can be beneficial or can do damage to me in some way. Most of
our struggles will be based in our minds.
There
are those in Scripture who set their mind on some things, some good
and some not so good. Solomon comes to mind in his beginning days of
his reign when God wanted to grant him what he most wanted.
Amazingly, Solomon chose wisdom. He speaks of it later in
Ecclesiastes 1:13 where he say he set his mind to seek and
explore wisdom.
The
King in Daniel 6:14 set his mind on delivering David from the
lions den. Jesus had to speak words of correction to Peter when
Peter stepped a little out of bounds. In Matthew 6:23 Jesus told
Peter he wasn't setting his mind on God's interests but mans.
For
myself, much like those multiplication tables, I have decided if I am
to be all for Jesus He wants of me that it's not going to happen
unless I set my mind to do just that. The lazy, hazy days of spring
and summer are upon us. Such days can be detrimental to maintaining
a close walk with the Lord. During such days, there are many
distractions that can pull our minds from one thing to another. If
our minds aren't set with a spiritual determination to maintain
consistency in our walk with the Lord, straying is very likely.
There
are some things we should set our minds on in upcoming days of
relaxation and different activities apart from the usual. We should
maintain: regular Bible reading, times of prayer, church attendance
(even on vacation), usual responsibilities whether at work or church,
and other things we can do to enrich the lives of others as well as
our own.
Among
other Biblical persons mentioned above, next to Jesus, Paul probably
had as strong of a spiritual mind set as anyone we can read about.
He gave good advice to the people in Colossae when he said to them in
chapter three, verse two:
Set your mind on the things above,
not on the things that are on earth.
Dear
Father, I pray I will have the right loving mind set on spiritual
things that would honor You in every way. Help me to keep focus on
Your Word and on Your will. May I stay focused on the things that
are important and that would please You. In Jesus precious
name...Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment