So I hear this a lot and still ask it from time to time myself: How can I live more completely by the Spirit?
Romans 8:5
Those who have their minds set on the flesh are controlled by the flesh, but the mind set on the Spirit, is controlled by the Spirit.
So we see the only way to live a Spirit led live is to set our minds on things of the Spirit. Colossians 3:1-2
In fact, it is a command of God to do so. Why would he command us to do such a thing if we have free will? Because he loves us and wants what is best for us!
We see an example of this even in the gospels. When Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, Jesus blessed him and said Peter was blessed among men. We all know Peter was a man of quick lips and almost immediately after his confession Jesus rebukes Peter for being a stumbling block to himself (Matthew 16:23). How was Peter a stumbling block? He suggested Jesus avoid going to the cross. Jesus knew that was God's will, but Peter was thinking only of self preservation. He had not yet learned the meaning of "take up your cross and follow me." (Luke 9:23). He had his mind set on this world, on what the flesh wanted, not what God wanted.
We see this war rage all the time. Paul describes it in great detail in Romans 7, but even more so in Galatians 5:16-25. He says that the Spirit is ever against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit. You cannot serve both simultaneously, nor can you have your mind set on one and obey the other. Romans 8:12-13
So what does the mindset of the Spirit look like? Philippians 4:8
Whatever is pure, lovely, worthy of praise, just, true, and noble.
The mindset of the Spirit is also a mindset of prayer. How can we possibly know what to set our minds on if we are not in communion with the Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Philippians 4:6-7
Luke 18:1
The mindset of the Spirit is also the same mindset of Jesus! Seems pretty self explanatory right?
Philippians 2:1-8
Jesus humbled himself, even though he was/is equal to the Father in every way. He became a servant and was obedient even in humiliation and in death. How many of us can say we want to be humiliated for God? Sure, I bet all would say they would love to lead a ministry of thousands for God, but what about a ministry of suffering and humiliation? That is what Jesus did! In fact, even though Jesus preached to thousands, his "ministry" only involved the 12 and the few women that followed as well, all in all 120 in total.
We tend to think of a God blessed ministry as the Joel Osteen/Benny Hinn/Jospeh Prince ministries where thousands upon thousands tune in every week, when in reality it is not how many follow you that determines if God is blessing. So how many of us can say we have or even want the mind of Jesus now? Are you willing to suffer humiliation and death for him?
Lastly, to have a Spirit led mind, we need to be in the scriptures.
Psalms 119:11
Psalms 119:105
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Peter 1:20-21
The scriptures are the light that guides our way. They are the truth that leads us. They are the inspired words of the Spirit. Seems pretty evident that a mind and life that wants to be led by the Spirit, would read, study and know the words of the Spirit
Romans 8:14
Spirit, lead us to the mind of Christ. May we ever set our minds on the things that please you so we may walk in obedience. Grant us knowledge of your will in all things, with all the wisdom and understanding you give! In Jesus name! Amen.
Romans 8:5
Those who have their minds set on the flesh are controlled by the flesh, but the mind set on the Spirit, is controlled by the Spirit.
So we see the only way to live a Spirit led live is to set our minds on things of the Spirit. Colossians 3:1-2
In fact, it is a command of God to do so. Why would he command us to do such a thing if we have free will? Because he loves us and wants what is best for us!
We see an example of this even in the gospels. When Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, Jesus blessed him and said Peter was blessed among men. We all know Peter was a man of quick lips and almost immediately after his confession Jesus rebukes Peter for being a stumbling block to himself (Matthew 16:23). How was Peter a stumbling block? He suggested Jesus avoid going to the cross. Jesus knew that was God's will, but Peter was thinking only of self preservation. He had not yet learned the meaning of "take up your cross and follow me." (Luke 9:23). He had his mind set on this world, on what the flesh wanted, not what God wanted.
We see this war rage all the time. Paul describes it in great detail in Romans 7, but even more so in Galatians 5:16-25. He says that the Spirit is ever against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit. You cannot serve both simultaneously, nor can you have your mind set on one and obey the other. Romans 8:12-13
So what does the mindset of the Spirit look like? Philippians 4:8
Whatever is pure, lovely, worthy of praise, just, true, and noble.
The mindset of the Spirit is also a mindset of prayer. How can we possibly know what to set our minds on if we are not in communion with the Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Philippians 4:6-7
Luke 18:1
The mindset of the Spirit is also the same mindset of Jesus! Seems pretty self explanatory right?
Philippians 2:1-8
Jesus humbled himself, even though he was/is equal to the Father in every way. He became a servant and was obedient even in humiliation and in death. How many of us can say we want to be humiliated for God? Sure, I bet all would say they would love to lead a ministry of thousands for God, but what about a ministry of suffering and humiliation? That is what Jesus did! In fact, even though Jesus preached to thousands, his "ministry" only involved the 12 and the few women that followed as well, all in all 120 in total.
We tend to think of a God blessed ministry as the Joel Osteen/Benny Hinn/Jospeh Prince ministries where thousands upon thousands tune in every week, when in reality it is not how many follow you that determines if God is blessing. So how many of us can say we have or even want the mind of Jesus now? Are you willing to suffer humiliation and death for him?
Lastly, to have a Spirit led mind, we need to be in the scriptures.
Psalms 119:11
Psalms 119:105
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Peter 1:20-21
The scriptures are the light that guides our way. They are the truth that leads us. They are the inspired words of the Spirit. Seems pretty evident that a mind and life that wants to be led by the Spirit, would read, study and know the words of the Spirit
Romans 8:14
Spirit, lead us to the mind of Christ. May we ever set our minds on the things that please you so we may walk in obedience. Grant us knowledge of your will in all things, with all the wisdom and understanding you give! In Jesus name! Amen.
