Read: Romans 7:14-8:8
Think: Today is Day 50 of 100 Days of Faith in Action. I imagine that you have truly grown to appreciate Paul’s passion, personality, and preaching through his Acts journeys and Romans writings. Today, in Romans 8:5-8, Paul talks about the tension within ones thought life. He writes, “ Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 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 control of the sinful nature can never please God.” In these passages, Paul identifies where the big battle is fought—in our minds!
Act: Paul is very practical. He reveals the way to identify what is controlling your thoughts—whether they are more dominated by your sinful nature or by the Holy Spirit of God. If your thoughts consistently give you a sense of peace and lead to life, you are controlled by the Spirit of God. If you consistently battle in your mind with rebellious thoughts that are hostile to God, you are controlled by your sinful nature. Today, think about what triggers cause “sinful nature” thoughts to go off in your mind. Is it unrealistic expectations, selfishness, lack of sleep, overcommitment, lack of prayer and Bible reading, or something else? Identify the trigger and keep it at bay!
Pray: Dear Lord, help me to identify and admit exactly what triggers my selfish, sinful nature. Help me to protect and prepare my heart so that I am—daily—more and more full of your Holy Spirit and less and less willing to let my thoughts be dominated by things that hurt You and others. Give me courage today, dear Lord. Amen.
Be full of faith today!
