"So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."" Romans 8:6 NLT

Here are the next two verses that go with today's title scripture. "For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God." Romans 8:7-8 NLT.

Another word for sinful nature is the flesh. One day the Lord really opened my mind and He gave me understanding of Romans chapter 8:1-14. At least what walking in the flesh looks like as compared to walking in the Spirit of God.

Walking in the flesh comes naturally since we are all born into the sin nature, it is like a default setting. Walking in the flesh is easy; my thoughts, actions, eyes are all focused on Me. I am the center of my universe. I'm living life my way, just like the song, its funny before I was born again and walking in the Spirit of God I really loved the lyrics of that song because it seems so appealing, being on the throne of my life sounded good but like all things of the world it wasn't as it seemed, it is another lie that ends up making us feel empty inside. Pursuit of wealth, power, prestige, also fall into that smoke and mirrors category.

When I am walking or being led by the Holy Spirit my thoughts, deeds, eyes are all focused on the Lord and being obedient to follow where He leads. As the Lord was showing me He made it simple so I could understand and I will attempt to share what He showed me.

The lesson involved revealing to me the way I interact with people, not just other believers but the unsaved people in my life. Generally speaking a life in the flesh is so self absorbed that there is very little room for other people except family members or unless you need them to achieve your own goals. If you are useful to me, I can be charming, if not I don't even see you. That sounds harsh but it is reality. There are two examples that I believe we can all relate to, the workplace or the grocery store. How often do you get involved with other shoppers or co-workers only if you need their assistance?

Walking in the Spirit is like all of a sudden instead of seeing people in shades of gray it is like they are all in living color! You are actually seeing people and you have a desire to reach out to them, as you are shopping, you notice a puzzled look on someone's face and you ask if you could help them, the person in the power cart is struggling to reach a shelf and you just hand it to them, or standing in line you help the person behind you unload their cart, you ask the cashier how they are doing and really listen, you offer to pray for them, in the parking lot you help an older lady to unload her cart into her car and put up her cart. The examples could continue, what has happened is that God is giving you His eyes for others! In the work place it is even easier, it is acknowledging others, encouraging and assisting people that can't do a thing for you or for your career. It is giving someone praise in front of their peers, or it is offering to pray with a co-worker that is really struggling. It is taking the time to help others to achieve their goals! It's coming along side a person in need instead of walking right past them as though they didn't even exist!

Everyday that we choose to be led by the Spirit becomes a day ripe with opportunities that have eternal consequences! "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14 NASB.



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