REDEEMING THE CARNAL MIND
Monday, October 24, 2005
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy
Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from
sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is
life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7[That is] because the
mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to
God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. 8 So
then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the
appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy
God, or be acceptable to Him. Romans 8:6-8 AMP
Without Christ in your life, your mind is carnal, fleshly, and worldly.
Even if you do receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, you still need to
renew your mind to the word and submit it to both your own recreated
spirit and the working of the Holy Spirit so that you can please God,
have peace of mind, and live a godly life.
And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your]
trespasses and sins 2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You
were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the
sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the
power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the
[demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience
[the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the
purposes of God]. 3 Among these we as well as you once lived and
conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed
by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh
and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and
our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath
and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God--so
rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great
and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we
were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us
alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the
very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened
Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not
deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers
of Christ's salvation). Ephesians 2:1-5 AMP
Before you met Christ, you were dead in your sin. If you had died
physically, you would have gone straight to hell. Sin and darkness
reigned in your spirit, your mind, and your body. You did not know any
better. You were just imitating everyone around you and following the
ways of the world. You were under the influence of society and demon
spirits, your behavior governed by your corrupt and sensual nature;
obeying the impulses of your flesh and the thoughts of your mind. Your
cravings were dictated by your senses and your sinful imaginations.
However, because God loved you so much, He sent Jesus Christ to take
your place, to bear your sin and your judgment. You were in Him when He
died and in Him when He was made alive. Because of Jesus, your life is
redeemed – the first step toward peace of mind and freedom from the
devil and the world’s system.
Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old
unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and
becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh
mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the
regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true
righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 AMP
Some people are born again, but they have never given their mind and
flesh completely over to the Lord. They are still in bondage to sin,
death, and the devil. Sin is deceptive – it promises freedom and
happiness, but it delivers only bondage, fear, and darkness. If you
want to walk free from the bondage of a carnal mind, you need to make
some choices. No one else can choose for you. You are the only one who
can make these choices for you. You need to accept Jesus as your Lord
and Savior in every area of your life: you need to choose to believe
God’s word; you need to make a decision to walk free from sin and
death; you need to strip off your former nature (your old unrenewed
self) that was corrupted through the lusts and desires that spring from
delusion; you need to choose life. You need to make a decision to allow
God’s word access into your life, daily, to change everything in you
and, therefore, everything in your life. You need to work constantly to
renew your mind and refresh your attitude. You need to put on your new
nature - which is created in God's image - in true righteousness and
holiness, by obeying God’s word.
Ephesians 5:26 AMP says that Christ sanctifies the church, having
cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might
present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or
wrinkle or any such things and so that she might be holy and faultless.
Submit yourself to the word. Allow it to penetrate you heart and mind
and change you from the inside out. The more you submit your life to
the word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, the more freedom and
peace are released into you!
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the