“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
(Romans 8:6, ESV)
(Romans 8:6, ESV)
Woven into the pages of the New Testament is this idea that when a person submits to God and takes that leap of faith, that person changes into someone new. Old ways of thinking, old sins, old destructive habits are replaced with a new godly view of life. That’s why Colossians 3:9 urges the newly faithful to “not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old (sinful) nature with its practices”. Ephesians 4:22 repeats this mantra by explaining that faithful people need to discard their “old nature which… is corrupt through deceitful lusts”. 2 Corinthians 5:17 adds that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and the new has come.”
Taken at face value, these scriptures all advocate that as a child of God, there must be a rejection of old, sinful ways. These need to be replaced with new and godly conduct. The old sinful nature must be surpassed by a new commitment to Christ.
The scripture for today builds on this old nature to new nature progression. Paul wrote in Romans that “to set the mind of the flesh is death” (8:6). This is what old, sinful ways do to you. They will destroy you from inside out. If you truly love Jesus, there must be a change in your heart, attitudes, emotions, and direction. True faith requires a new, godly version of you!
Can you imagine seeing an ad for a new diet that shows a before picture and after picture of the dieter that is the same or worse? This diet would never become popular. Healthy diets are promoted as life-changing ideals. To see a before and after picture of a dieter that looks the same or worse does not inspire anyone to follow the diet! In the same way, the old you before Jesus should not be the same as the new you that is faithful. A picture of your life before you committed yourself to Jesus Christ should not look the same as a new picture of your life of faithful obedience. If your old sinful ways are not much different than your new ways with Christ, you will not bring much inspiration for anyone to come to Jesus!
A college campus group of Christians decided to hold a renewal service near the end of the fall semester. They enlisted the campus chaplain to find an evangelist to speak. The group would also supply some of its members to tell stories of faith, offer encouragement, and pray with those at the service. Owing to all the dedicated work, the renewal service saw twenty percent more people at that service than a normal Sunday worship service. Many of those who came to Christ at the event were intent on meeting together, praying together, and worshipping together. Spirits ran high!
As the last of the college fall finals were completed, there were more than a dozen parties for people to attend. At one of those parties, a man who had recently given himself to Christ at the renewal service was seen dancing on a table drunk out of his mind. Several leaders of the campus group of Christians approached him wondering why he was doing this. His response was, “It’s the end of the semester. It’s a party! What is wrong with you people!” This “new Christian” went back to his old ways. He was a drinker and partier before he came to the renewal service. Sadly, he was a drinker and partier afterward as well.
As people go through life, their relationship with God can change. As issues occur, roadblocks are faced, challenges are overcome, health problems arise, and more, some Christians settle back into old destructive behaviors. They might give up prayer for a while, stop attending worship, or fall back into bad habits. Attitudes and values that were once sinful might resurface. Their “old”, familiar, sinful ways have a way of calling them to “old”, familiar, self-destructive ways of thinking and actions. In our scripture for today, this is called “setting the mind on flesh”. Its effects are spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically deadly.
I hope you are different. I hope when you are hit with problems, trials, or temptations, that you respond in a Christ-like way. Instead of reverting to the “old” you, I pray you go about facing your issues with a “new” and godly manner. The scripture for today from Romans 8:6 calls this “setting the mind on the Spirit”. Its effects will bring “life and peace” to you spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.
There is an “old you” with sinful ways that would love to steal your peace. This “old you” can set you back in many ways. This “old you” succumbs to temptations which Satan would love to see you enjoy. These “old you” ways are never harmless. They carry baggage that can hurt. If you follow them, you may find gratification for a while; but in the end, you will only find sadness. Jesus died to save you from the “old you”. He longs to see the “new you” who will be faithful and obedient and an inspiration.
Anne Graham-Lotz wrote some interesting words about the “old you” versus the “new you”.
“Our old natures will never be “cured” of sin, which is why Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).
Once you and I are spiritually reborn, we are given a totally new, perfect, sinless nature that is indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
A supernatural miracle occurs in response to your decision to receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Savior and Lord when God places the life of Christ within you. He gives you new emotions to love God and to love people you previously didn’t even like, a new will to choose to do what is right and pleasing to Him, and a new intellect to understand the truth and spiritual things.
However, you will always have your old nature to contend with. The key to victory over it is to live intentionally in your new nature.” (p. 48, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus).
It is all too easy to fall back into old ways when troubles find you. Only the truly faithful will resist that temptation. When you accepted Christ and took your vows of obedience to Him, a “new you” emerged. This “new you” is loving, faithful, and committed. This “new you” may be difficult to maintain at times but will ultimately generate life and peace in the end. As you make your decisions, promises, and choices, let the “new you” transform your situation. Let your love of Jesus bring healing and wholeness and more. Bury that “old you” in the past where it belongs.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord God, I come to You today with sadness. In past moments of decision, I failed to be faithful. Temptations got the better of me. Emotions played havoc with my peace. Anger grew. Resentments occurred. It was oh so easy to fall back into sinful attitudes. My thoughts were clouded with worldly delusions. I believed what was wrong. I clung to the past. I refused to be steadfastly faithful. I spiraled into self-destructive ways. Forgive me, dear Lord, for this self-destructive tendency. Forgive me for my short-sighted views. Let Your Holy Spirit keep me faithful.
As the Apostle Paul taught, I know what is right but fail to do it. I know what is true but reject it. It is so easy to hold tightly to sinful attitudes, be judgmental, fail to be loving, fail to be steadfastly faithful. With Your help, I endeavor to rise above my sinful self. Let Jesus be my model!
Today, I pray for those who have chosen to follow worldly ways instead of holy truth. I pray for those who have succumbed to worldly ideologies. I pray for those who are enticed by self-gratification. I pray for those who have grown comfortable with sin. I pray for our fallen world. I pray for revival. I pray for a true spiritual renewal. I pray that the name of Jesus may be revered in every corner of the globe.
With a heart that beats with love for You, blessed Lord my God, I end this prayer. Amen.
Taken at face value, these scriptures all advocate that as a child of God, there must be a rejection of old, sinful ways. These need to be replaced with new and godly conduct. The old sinful nature must be surpassed by a new commitment to Christ.
The scripture for today builds on this old nature to new nature progression. Paul wrote in Romans that “to set the mind of the flesh is death” (8:6). This is what old, sinful ways do to you. They will destroy you from inside out. If you truly love Jesus, there must be a change in your heart, attitudes, emotions, and direction. True faith requires a new, godly version of you!
Can you imagine seeing an ad for a new diet that shows a before picture and after picture of the dieter that is the same or worse? This diet would never become popular. Healthy diets are promoted as life-changing ideals. To see a before and after picture of a dieter that looks the same or worse does not inspire anyone to follow the diet! In the same way, the old you before Jesus should not be the same as the new you that is faithful. A picture of your life before you committed yourself to Jesus Christ should not look the same as a new picture of your life of faithful obedience. If your old sinful ways are not much different than your new ways with Christ, you will not bring much inspiration for anyone to come to Jesus!
A college campus group of Christians decided to hold a renewal service near the end of the fall semester. They enlisted the campus chaplain to find an evangelist to speak. The group would also supply some of its members to tell stories of faith, offer encouragement, and pray with those at the service. Owing to all the dedicated work, the renewal service saw twenty percent more people at that service than a normal Sunday worship service. Many of those who came to Christ at the event were intent on meeting together, praying together, and worshipping together. Spirits ran high!
As the last of the college fall finals were completed, there were more than a dozen parties for people to attend. At one of those parties, a man who had recently given himself to Christ at the renewal service was seen dancing on a table drunk out of his mind. Several leaders of the campus group of Christians approached him wondering why he was doing this. His response was, “It’s the end of the semester. It’s a party! What is wrong with you people!” This “new Christian” went back to his old ways. He was a drinker and partier before he came to the renewal service. Sadly, he was a drinker and partier afterward as well.
As people go through life, their relationship with God can change. As issues occur, roadblocks are faced, challenges are overcome, health problems arise, and more, some Christians settle back into old destructive behaviors. They might give up prayer for a while, stop attending worship, or fall back into bad habits. Attitudes and values that were once sinful might resurface. Their “old”, familiar, sinful ways have a way of calling them to “old”, familiar, self-destructive ways of thinking and actions. In our scripture for today, this is called “setting the mind on flesh”. Its effects are spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically deadly.
I hope you are different. I hope when you are hit with problems, trials, or temptations, that you respond in a Christ-like way. Instead of reverting to the “old” you, I pray you go about facing your issues with a “new” and godly manner. The scripture for today from Romans 8:6 calls this “setting the mind on the Spirit”. Its effects will bring “life and peace” to you spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.
There is an “old you” with sinful ways that would love to steal your peace. This “old you” can set you back in many ways. This “old you” succumbs to temptations which Satan would love to see you enjoy. These “old you” ways are never harmless. They carry baggage that can hurt. If you follow them, you may find gratification for a while; but in the end, you will only find sadness. Jesus died to save you from the “old you”. He longs to see the “new you” who will be faithful and obedient and an inspiration.
Anne Graham-Lotz wrote some interesting words about the “old you” versus the “new you”.
“Our old natures will never be “cured” of sin, which is why Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).
Once you and I are spiritually reborn, we are given a totally new, perfect, sinless nature that is indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
A supernatural miracle occurs in response to your decision to receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Savior and Lord when God places the life of Christ within you. He gives you new emotions to love God and to love people you previously didn’t even like, a new will to choose to do what is right and pleasing to Him, and a new intellect to understand the truth and spiritual things.
However, you will always have your old nature to contend with. The key to victory over it is to live intentionally in your new nature.” (p. 48, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus).
It is all too easy to fall back into old ways when troubles find you. Only the truly faithful will resist that temptation. When you accepted Christ and took your vows of obedience to Him, a “new you” emerged. This “new you” is loving, faithful, and committed. This “new you” may be difficult to maintain at times but will ultimately generate life and peace in the end. As you make your decisions, promises, and choices, let the “new you” transform your situation. Let your love of Jesus bring healing and wholeness and more. Bury that “old you” in the past where it belongs.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord God, I come to You today with sadness. In past moments of decision, I failed to be faithful. Temptations got the better of me. Emotions played havoc with my peace. Anger grew. Resentments occurred. It was oh so easy to fall back into sinful attitudes. My thoughts were clouded with worldly delusions. I believed what was wrong. I clung to the past. I refused to be steadfastly faithful. I spiraled into self-destructive ways. Forgive me, dear Lord, for this self-destructive tendency. Forgive me for my short-sighted views. Let Your Holy Spirit keep me faithful.
As the Apostle Paul taught, I know what is right but fail to do it. I know what is true but reject it. It is so easy to hold tightly to sinful attitudes, be judgmental, fail to be loving, fail to be steadfastly faithful. With Your help, I endeavor to rise above my sinful self. Let Jesus be my model!
Today, I pray for those who have chosen to follow worldly ways instead of holy truth. I pray for those who have succumbed to worldly ideologies. I pray for those who are enticed by self-gratification. I pray for those who have grown comfortable with sin. I pray for our fallen world. I pray for revival. I pray for a true spiritual renewal. I pray that the name of Jesus may be revered in every corner of the globe.
With a heart that beats with love for You, blessed Lord my God, I end this prayer. Amen.