All weekend, I remember this passage of scripture in the book of Romans: “The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Oh, how I want that life and peace! Right now! Every day!
To control means to maintain authority or influence over. How can I ensure that the Spirit of God continues to maintain authority and influence over my mind? I commit myself afresh to the things that feed my soul: the intake of scripture, prayer, worship, solitude, journaling. And I remember that I ask by faith–not by self-effort–for God’s Spirit to control my life.
Right now! Every day!
If I feel that old darkness coming on, I ask for my mind to be controlled by the Spirit.
The Message creates this version of Romans 8:6: “Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.”
How true it is. I walk about my house repeating the truth: The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
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Have you experienced a mind controlled by the Spirit vs. the sinful mind?
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How appropriate that this comes so closely to Romans 7 and Paul's bemoaning that he doens't do the things he wants and the things he wants to do, he doesn't do. Me too. Me too! I wrote about something similar this weekend in “You in the fitness: not you native tongue.” (http://wp.me/p1Ut5W-b1)
This verse is such a blessing Heather! A good one to meditate on and when I walk by the Spirit and quit putting the emphasis on “ME”, I do feel peace and enjoy life much more! Thank you for sharing this precious gem!