Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8:5-8 – Mind Set – Growing As Disciples
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
Mind Set
I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is what I desire. That is my hope. That is my dream. That is my prayer. That is very good. How will you live a life that is pleasing to me? There is no mystery in knowing the answer to that question. Knowing how to live a life that is pleasing to you is not something that is hidden and difficult to understand. It is quite obvious that I, and every other person, have a choice to make. Two different choices are before me. That’s right. One choice, setting my mind on the sinful nature will ultimately lead to death. That choice will lead me away from you. That choice will offer me the world and all that is in it and nothing more. Following that choice will lead me to live a bruised and battered and broken life. That life is filled with darkness and discouragement and depression. That life is without hope and meaning and purpose. It sounds like you have some experience with living that life. Yes, I do. I was on that road. I was living that life. I was pursuing my own comfort and pleasure. I was living for all that the world and had to offer. It was an alluring and deceptive life. It gave false hope and meaning and purpose. It gave me no joy. It brought me nothing but darkness and discouragement and depression. I saw first-hand what life without you looked like. I felt the bruising and battering and brokenness of life in this world. I saw clearly the death this life was bringing to me. I wanted no more. I wanted none of it. I wanted something else. I wanted more. I know now, that I wanted you. I cried out to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sins. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. You heard and answered my prayer. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.
What about now? You mentioned you had two choices. Yes, I did. Tell me more about the choice you made. I have chosen to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. What does that mean? My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My life is in your hands. I am listening to your voice. I am being guided by your Spirit. I am relying on your help. I am going where you guide me. I am doing what you ask me. My life is not focused on what this world has to offer. In every way, on every day, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is very good.
Heavenly Father, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I will set my mind on the things of your Spirit. Help me to fully live the life you have called me to live. Fill me with your life and peace. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.
Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.
By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved Copying not permitted www.GrowingAsDisciples.com
