Transformation Series Episode 13

Transformation Series Episode 13

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The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Hello, my walking friend! Wherever you are right now, take a moment to pause and look around you. Whatever you see, whatever you have on you or with you, whatever you are using to listen to this podcast, all of it is a gift from the Lord. Take a deep breath – even that is a gift from the Lord. Isn’t he so wonderful and gracious and generous! Let’s say a quick thanks as we start out!

Today is the 13^th episode in the transformation series and our verse to meditate on is Romans 8:6:

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

When I read today’s verse, two words jumped out at me, life and death. Those are pretty dramatic words with enormous consequences. I think of life and death as opposites and yet, they go together, hand in hand. Every day that we live, we are also dying until one day death. Wow! I know that sounds so gloomy. Sorry about that! But the good news is, and it really is the best news, that with Jesus, there is no death. O death, where is your victory? Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And even though our physical bodies may be aging, our spirits are not. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

Two other words in the verse also jumped out at me, flesh and spirit. Like life and death, we live in our physical bodies every day with flesh and spirit. But they are often at war with each other. 

The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you should. 

It kind of sounds like we don’t have any responsibility in all of this, doesn’t it? Like we can just throw up our hands and say, “Oh, well, God created me with this flesh and fleshly desires. What can I do about it?” But our verse today reminds us that there is something we can do about it we can mind our mind!

The mind governed by the flesh is death…where are your thoughts? What are you thinking about? See, the flesh is trying to influence your mind (your thoughts) all the time…okay, well, maybe not you, my walking friend. Maybe you are one of the blessed saints who never struggles with the battle between flesh and spirit. Oh, wait, that would make you Jesus, so that can’t be right! I’m not trying to give you a hard time, my friend, I’m just trying to say we are all in this together. We all struggle with our flesh and its attempts to get what it wants by influencing our minds. But I will use examples from my own life, if that helps.

My flesh will say:

You know how food comforts you, eat whatever you want.

That person hurt you so bad, they don’t deserve your forgiveness.

You’re so tired, don’t worry about taking time to talk to Jesus.

Ahhh! You have too much to do today! You don’t have time to spend 10 minutes walking with Jesus!

Look at how much you are struggling to transform, Jesus must not love you as much as you thought. 

Lynne, if you just worried more, you can control the outcome!

Oh, my friend, I do struggle! Now let’s think about what the Spirit would say.  How would the Spirit of God want to influence our minds? For me, it would be:

Lynne, your body is my temple. I want you to take care of whatever I gave you so that you will be able to do what I am calling you to do.

Lynne, how many times have I forgiven you? Be like me. Forgive like me. The bitterness that comes from unforgiveness is death.

I know you’re tired, but spend a little time with me and I will rejuvenate you.

I know you have a lot to do, but if you make time for me, I will make the time for you to do what is needed.

Lynne, I love you so much that I died for you, to transform you into my likeness.

Do what you can do and leave the rest to me. I am the one in control. Worry and stress are death to your mind, body, and spirit. Give me you cares because I care for you. I came to give you peace.

Whew! I feel better just going through that exercise! I know that my struggles between flesh and spirit might not be exactly like yours – you have your own. But I’m sure you get the idea. As long as we allow the flesh to dictate what goes on in our minds, we will experience spiritual death. Not death as in you lose your salvation, but death as in your ability to live the life Jesus wants for you and the ability to be used by him in this world. 

It’s time, my walking friend, my fellow warriors, that we stop and think about what we are thinking about. Can you see what will happen if we allow our flesh to dominate our minds? What will happen to our bodies? What will happen to our emotions? What will happen to our attitudes? It’s all negative, it really is! And yet if we counter those thoughts with God’s word, if we fill our mind with God’s truths, if we allow our minds to be governed by the Spirit, then life and peace will rule in our lives. 

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on today’s verse, Romans 8:6:

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection. 

How often do you think about what you are thinking about? What could you do to be aware of your thoughts? Take some time to consider your answer now.

In what ways does your flesh try to influence your mind? Ask Jesus for the power to resist your flesh and to embrace the spirit.

We are told to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus. Take a little time to do as I did and consider the statements your flesh tells you and contrast that with the truth of what Jesus says. 

Now let’s listen to today’s verse one last time:

Romans 8:6:

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus, 

The battle between flesh and spirit is so strong. We can’t win the battle without you and your strength. We know we need to bury your truths in our minds and hearts in order to fight back against the desires of our flesh. The world is constantly telling us that it is okay to live out the desires of our flesh, but we know that if we do it is spiritual death. Sometimes even physical death. We want your life and peace. Help us, Jesus, to stand firm against the lies of the enemy and stand firm in your truth. Strengthen our minds. We truly want our minds to be governed by your spirit. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, the one who gives you life and peace. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. 

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our process of transformation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.