Bible League: Living His Word The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.— Romans 8:6 NIV The Apostle Paul often uses the word "flesh" as a metaphor for the sinful spiritual state of human beings. In other words, he often uses a word that usually refers to something physical as a metaphor for something spiritual. "Flesh," in this sense of the term, applies to human beings in so far as they are spiritually dominated and directed by the weakness of their sinful spiritual nature. To be fleshly, then, means that one is sinful. Even more, to be fleshly means that one is too weak and miserable to do what is right and good. The mind governed by the flesh, Paul tells us, is death. This means that the mind of a person that is spiritually dominated and directed by their sin is leading that person down a pathway that leads to death. It is a pathway that leads to death and destruction in the now and eternal death in the life hereafter. Paul goes on to say, "The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7). The mind governed by the Spirit, on the other hand, is life and peace. This means that the mind of a person, spiritually dominated and directed by the Holy Spirit, is leading a pathway to life and peace. It is a pathway that leads to life and peace now and in the life to come. Instead of a mind that leads one nowhere and accomplishes nothing worthwhile, it is a mind that flourishes and accomplishes things that have eternal value and significance. How can you transition from the death and destruction of the flesh to the life and peace of the Holy Spirit? There is only one way. You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You will receive the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Spirit will set you free from the power of your fleshly sin nature. (Romans 8:1-4). The flesh may still cause problems, but the power of the Spirit will move you to become a powerful force for good in the world. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Samuel 15, 16 2 Samuel 15 -- Absalom's Conspiracy; David Flees Jerusalem NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Samuel 16 -- David and Ziba; Shimei Curses David; Absalom Enters Jerusalem NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 20:27-47 Luke 20 -- Jesus' Authority; Parable of the Tenants; Give to Caesar; Marriage at the Resurrection NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Fearing people is a dangerous trap,but trusting the LORD means safety. Insight Fear of people can hamper everything you try to do. In extreme forms, it can make you afraid to leave your home. By contrast, fear of God—respect, reverence, and trust—is liberating. Challenge Why fear people who can do no eternal harm? Instead, fear God who can turn the harm intended by others into good for those who trust him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Corinthians 11:24 This do in remembrance of me.It seems then, that Christians may forget Christ! There could be no need for this loving exhortation, if there were not a fearful supposition that our memories might prove treacherous. Nor is this a bare supposition: it is, alas! too well confirmed in our experience, not as a possibility, but as a lamentable fact. It appears almost impossible that those who have been redeemed by the blood of the dying Lamb, and loved with an everlasting love by the eternal Son of God, should forget that gracious Saviour; but, if startling to the ear, it is, alas! too apparent to the eye to allow us to deny the crime. Forget him who never forgot us! Forget him who poured his blood forth for our sins! Forget him who loved us even to the death! Can it be possible? Yes, it is not only possible, but conscience confesses that it is too sadly a fault with all of us, that we suffer him to be as a wayfaring man tarrying but for a night. He whom we should make the abiding tenant of our memories is but a visitor therein. The cross where one would think that memory would linger, and unmindfulness would be an unknown intruder, is desecrated by the feet of forgetfulness. Does not your conscience say that this is true? Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? Some creature steals away your heart, and you are unmindful of him upon whom your affection ought to be set. Some earthly business engrosses your attention when you should fix your eye steadily upon the cross. It is the incessant turmoil of the world, the constant attraction of earthly things which takes away the soul from Christ. While memory too well preserves a poisonous weed, it suffereth the rose of Sharon to wither. Let us charge ourselves to bind a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts for Jesus our Beloved, and, whatever else we let slip, let us hold fast to him. Daily Light on the Daily Path Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, 'Destroy!'Matthew 14:30,31 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" • Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Psalm 37:23,24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. • When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. Deuteronomy 33:12 Of Benjamin he said, "May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders." 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. John 10:28,29 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. • "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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