For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

Have you ever wondered how a bad thought or wicked idea enters into your mind? I have. Sometimes I can entertain ideas in my mind without even realizing it. But how do these ideas get there in the first place? With many multiple reasons why, one is clearly what we let into our minds. What is the daily messaging we consume with our minds? Do we purposefully implant goodness and truth into our minds, or do we have an “open mind” to let the world implant whatever it wants? The world is focused on “the flesh” or sinful desires that satisfy our immediate needs for pleasure and fulfillment. Delayed gratification is basically almost a foreign language to many in this world. Many people see what they want and basically take it. And this focus on oneself or sin leads to death and destruction in this world and throughout eternity. However, a life lived with a focus on God’s Spirit and his purpose and will … this leads to life now and for eternity. Its rewards are life and peace. Peace with God and life through God — what a dynamic combo! And part of this realization is to understand how those who are not following Jesus will behave. In their minds, they are hostile to God. Their actions will also follow in this manner. They do not understand that God “rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) And we must realize they cannot perceive the truth about life like we can, because they do not have a heavenly perspective on it.

So to sum it all up, who will control your mind today? God’s Spirit or this world and its fleshly desires?

Lord, thank you for helping me to clearly see how important keeping my mind full of you and your word and your works will give me life and peace in this life. May I guard my mind and fill it with good things.