Tag Archives: 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.

What The Spirit Desires

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The Spirit Empowered Life - Day 144 - Romans 8-5-8 - What The Spirit Desires - Growing As Disciples

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – What The Spirit Desires – 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

What will be your mindset? I’m not sure what you mean. What you set your mind on will determine the entire course of your life. What you allow yourself to think and guide all that you say and do. What are my choices? That is a good question. I will let you tell me what choices are before you. As I see it, I have only two choices before me. Only two? That’s right. I can choose to live according to the sinful nature. I can set my mind on what the sinful naturally desires. That would be a very poor choice. That choice would lead to pain and suffering. That choice would lead to anguish and regret. That choice would lead to death, both now, and forever. Saying that would be a poor choice sounds like an understatement, don’t you think? Yes definitely, the anguish and regret and pain and suffering of that choice would be unending. That’s true. That has not been, nor will it ever be my choice. What is your choice? I will set my mind on what the Holy Spirit desires. My thoughts will not be on the things of this world. I will not adopt the values and patterns and practices of this life. I will not allow the world to shape me according to its mold. Instead, I will allow you to mold and shape me. I will listen attentively to you. I will keep your word ever before me. I will allow your word to dwell in me richly. I will meditate on your word day and night. You will guide the course of my life. You will give me thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. I will live my life according to your will. I will go and do what is pleasing to you. You will fill me with life and peace. You will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. This is what I want. This is what I desire. This is the choice I have and will continue to make as I love and follow and serve you, with all that is within me. You have made a very good choice. You have made a choice that you will never regret. You will live the life you have been called to live. Thank you, Holy Spirit for helping me to make this choice.

Holy Spirit, I will no longer allow my mind to be set on the sinful nature. I will set my mind on what you desire. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to God. Help me to live a life that is full of life and peace. Help me to think, speak and act according to God’s will. Amen

Key Question…  How is allowing your mind to be controlled by the Spirit helping you to live a life that is pleasing to God?

Living It Out…  Set your mind on what the Spirit desires so you will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will be able to live a life that is pleasing to God as you set your mind on what the Spirit desires.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are setting your mind on what the Spirit desires.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you set your mind on what the Spirit desires so you can live a life that is pleasing to God.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Spirit Empowered Life – Day 144 – Romans 8-5-8 – What The Spirit Desires – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Minds Set On What The Spirit Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life - Romans 8:5 - Minds Set On What The Spirit Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – Romans 8:5 – Minds Set On What The Spirit Desires – 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. Romans 8:5 (NIV)

Mind Set 

What is your mind set on? What do you mean by that? Are you saying that I have a choice about what I allow myself to think? What do you think? I guess I have been thinking whatever comes into my mind. I’ve noticed that. Are you happy with all that you have been thinking? Do you think I would be pleased with all your thoughts? No, I have not been happy with all my thoughts and I’m positive that you would not be pleased with all my thoughts. What has been the consequence of thinking thoughts that you are not happy with and you know don’t please me? I have said and done really regrettable things as a result of the thoughts that have been on my heart and in my mind.

Would you like to think thoughts that please me and don’t lead you to regretting what you have said and done? Yes, I certainly would. How would that be possible? You need to change what you allow yourself to think. That sounds nearly impossible. With me all things are possible. Do you believe that I will help you to think thoughts that please me? Yes, I do. Do you believe that I have the power to change the thoughts of your mind, the meditations of your heart, the words of your mouth and the deeds of your life? Yes, I do. Then don’t say and think that changing what you allow yourself to think is nearly impossible. It’s not. Alright, I wont.

Where do I start? How can I begin to take charge of what I allow myself to think? You need to begin to guard what you allow yourself to think. How do I do that? Is there anything that is feeding thoughts that you know would not be pleasing to me? What are you talking about? Are you listening to or watching anything that you know would not be pleasing to me? I suppose that I am. Stop that. Think of those thoughts and that material as garbage that you need take out of your life and throw away. Those thoughts are feeding your mind with what you don’t want to think. Those thoughts are leading you to do what you don’t want to do. Yes, I know. Taking out the garbage is where you start. It won’t always be easy but don’t ever give up.

What are thoughts that please me? I’m not sure. Where would you go if you wanted to feed your heart and mind on a steady diet of thoughts and words that please me? I would go to your word. Yes, that’s right. Would you go to nibble here and there on my word or would you go to feast on my word? This is not a trick question. I would go to feast on your word. Yes, that’s right.

Do you have any idea what my word will do for you? I’m not sure. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. When you feast on my word my Spirit will be working in you, for you, and through you. You will think my thoughts. You will speak my words. You will do what I ask. You will have no regrets because you will be thinking, saying and doing what my Spirit desires. How does all this sound to you? It sounds like the prayer that you have put in my heart and on my mind. Yes, it is.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here:

Life – Romans 8-5 – Minds Set On What The Spirit Desires – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

What The Spirit Desires

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Holy Spirit - Romans 8:5 - What The Spirit Desires - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – Romans 8:5 – What The Spirit Desires – 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. Romans 8:5 (NIV)

Mindset

What are you allowing your mind to think? What thoughts are you entertaining? I’m not sure what you mean. My mind thinks thousands upon thousands of thoughts. What do you mean by asking me what thoughts am I entertaining? You seem to be expressing the idea that I can control what I allow myself to think. You seem to be suggesting that I can entertain some thoughts and reject others. That is exactly the idea I am expressing and suggesting to you. I will take the thought and idea I want you to consider on step further. How so? Your thoughts can be categorized in one of two categories. You have my complete attention. You have my full curiosity. Your thoughts will either be set on what the sinful nature desires or on what the spiritual nature desires. I need to hear more of what you want to say to me.

The thoughts of your mind, words of your mouth, and the entire course of your life will be guided by what you set your mind on. If you set your mind on what the sinful nature desires you will think thoughts, speak words, and take actions that are earthly, fleshly and unspiritual. You will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. You will have nothing but a worldly perspective. You want what the world wants. You will do what the world does. This kind of life is temporary and will pass way. This type of life will amount to nothing of eternal value. This life is filled with sin and darkness. This life is evil and will end in death. These are opposite of the thoughts I want you to think and the life I have called you to live.

What kind of life have you called me to live? I want you to think thoughts of what the spiritual nature desires. I want you to think my thoughts. I want you to know me. I want you to become like me. I want you to think thoughts, speak words and take action that are filled with life. I want your whole perspective to be spiritual. I want you to keep your heart and mind and life focused on me. This sound like I will be in for quite a battle. Say more. I do live in a dark and sinful and broken world. My heart and mind and life are continually under bombardment from the world. That’s true. How can I think your thoughts, speak your words and live the life you are calling me to live? Draw near to me. Meet with me in my word. Allow me to use my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. I will give you thoughts to think, words to speak and a life to live as you live in an intimate relationship with me. Will you allow me to change your heart and transform your mind? Will you continually draw near to me? Will you walk with me through life? Yes, I will. Then your mind will be set on what I desire. Then you will live the life you have been called to live. That is my desire. That is what I will do. That is very good. 

Holy Spirit, at one time I thought about whatever came into my mind. I fed my mind on garbage from the world. I lived a life that was not pleasing to you. Use God’s word to transform my mind so I can think your thoughts and fully live the life you desire for me. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Holy Spirit – Romans 8-5 – What The Spirit Desires – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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