Key scripture – “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.” (Romans 8:5-7).

Did you know that your mind is one of the most important factors in your spiritual growth.

I do not mean you must have great intelligence to grow spiritually. I mean that you must be careful what you put into your mind and what you allow your mind to think about.

“The mind set on the flesh is death.”What in your life focuses your mind on things that would offend the pure heart of God? Things you read? Things you watch? Things you listen to? This passage tells us that if you continue to set your mind on those things, you are committing spiritual suicide. It is impossible for you to walk with God while filling your mind with the world.

You can have one or the other, but not both. One is death and hostility; the other is life and peace.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

The Lord is inviting you today to walk with Him and put those other things out of your life.”…Choose life and not death!…” (2 Kings 18:32b)

Starting today, fill your mind with the Word of God instead of the things of this world, focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phillipians 4:8) and you will be amazed at how your attitude, your commitment, and your desires change.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for thinking I can fill my mind with Your Word and also the things of this world. Today I take a stand and I proclaim I will no longer compromise on anything, but instead I will live a life of complete obedience in my personal life, my job and in what I choose to entertain me. Give me the character that stands fearlessly and boldly and unashamedly before family, friends, co-workers, supervisors and leaders, to speak what is the truth, which is Your Word, and have an undaunted spirit of complete commitment to God. I want to be valiant for the Word of God. Ezekiel calls it “setting your face like flint.” (Ezekiel 3:8-9). And if I am like flint, my faith will be strong, resolute, and non-compromising. In 1 Chronicles 12:8, the same virtue is called “setting your face like a lion.” In Philippians 1:27 it says “Only let your conduct be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel and in nothing terrified by your adversaries.” That is what I want. I want to be the person, who is never terrified by my adversaries, and to be bold and willing to stand for what is right. Pour Your Spirit on me and give me the strength and courage to turn away from the ways of the world and to stand firm on Jesus, the solid rock. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.