Who’s Governing Your Mind–Flesh or Holy Spirit?

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 85-8 NIV)

Who lives according to the dictates of their flesh? Everyone who does not live in accordance to the direction of Holy Spirit. The result is easy to see and when we have evidence to support our conclusions, it is not an opinion nor a rash judgment.

Overeating is evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh. The flesh says it wants more to eat than it needs and when it governs the mind, people eat–far more than is good for them and as a result, become overwhelmed by the flesh–evident in their appearance and in health issues that are result from overeating.

Being rude and disrespectful is evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh. Flesh tells people they are superior to others and must have the last word, no matter what and the mind caves to the dictates of the flesh because it feels good and sounds good. The results as we can see on a daily basis are those who are discourteous drivers, loud-mouthed and obnoxious people waiting in lines who think they shouldn’t have to wait–for anything or anyone. We see them cussing at those in authority when they can’t have their way and in front of their children–demonstrating to their children that it’s okay to be rude and disrespectful and we see this in classrooms across the country.

Sexual immorality is evident in what people do–promiscuously–having sex with random people and sometimes people they just met and the evidence is all we see on television, in the movies, and hear in the music. The mind is governed by the flesh, because if it feels good, then do it. The results are increased rates of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDs, and increase in low-esteem, depression, and suicide. Why? Because the devil loves it when people submit to him and then he leaves them high and dry, when they cannot find real love or a reason to keep living once they understand how they have used and abused their bodies.

Addictions of all types are the evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh–drugs, nicotine, alcohol, shopping, shoplifting, pornography–all are a conclusion of the matter–the feel-good-syndrome-for a moment and when the moment passes, it must be repeated, and repeated, and repeated until it fulfills its vicious cycle–in death–naturally or spiritually.

A person who has deprived themselves of the leadership and guidance of Holy Spirit is prone to making the same mistakes, over and over again, expecting a different result–which by definition is–insanity. When chaos and confusion exists, God is not in it and certainly there is no evidence of Holy Spirit guiding anyone.

What happens when our minds are governed by Holy Spirit? There is peace within and then there can peace without–in our environment and everywhere we go. When Holy Spirit leads–He reminds us of those things we have been taught, strengthens us to live by faith and ignore the temptations of the enemy, and keeps us focused on pleasing God, not flesh.

Where’s the evidence? The evidence is seen in those who do not have to resort to cussing out people, involving themselves in road-rage, or even randomly acting out. The evidence is in the person’s ability to remain calm, exercise wisdom in all situations, and to discipline themselves to hear God and act accordingly. They know when to stop eating, stop smoking, stop giving into the desires that make them feel good only for a moment, and start doing those things that bring the heart joy and they know they are pleasing God.

So, what’s it going to be for you today? Will you allow flesh to dictate or Holy Spirit? Do you want temporary pleasure or lasting joy? It’s up to us–we decide and I choose to allow Holy Spirit to reign in my life!

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It’s Later Than We Think!

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:3,4,10,19 NIV)

We spend so much time trying to encourage one another to stay strong and to stay focused on what Jesus and Paul say, that we tend to forget what Jude said in defense of Godliness. In fact, we must remember there are more writers in The Bible than those who wrote the history, the psalms, the wisdom, and the instructions for church doctrines. They are all good, but we must also remember that when God speaks--He speaks to more than one person–saying the same thing, in a different way (in the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every Word be confirmed), and Jude is often overlooked, except by some–who repeat the last two verses as a benediction–signalling the end of a service.

Jude reminds the Believers of what has come before with immorality and ungodliness as he points out–in his time–history was repeating itself. And here we are–in 2015–watching history repeat itself, again. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeating it” (Santayana). Jude summarizes the events from Sodom and Gomorrah to his present time, in warning them to know the enemy’s influence.

Have we learned nothing from reviewing past events? Or are we so immune to learning history that we deliberately establish our fate–a fate of gloom and doom for the masses?

There are those who scoff at Believers’ convictions about eternity and the lake of fire. That is their right to do so, but it doesn’t change what God has already determined. People–in their logical minds–can attempt to change anything they want to change, but it is only those things that God has established and ordained from the beginning that will matter in the end. As Jude said, those whose only appeal is to their own logic are not guided by Holy Spirit and therefore whatever they think, matters not.

But we who Believe and know that Holy Spirit will never guide us into changing what God has said or encouraging us to promote ungodliness, should act on what we know is Truth and not get caught up in the trends of this world. We have the mind of Christ and it’s time the world knew that. We who know Truth should never be conformed to the dictates of the flesh which guide ungodliness.

We are told that “judgment will begin at the household of faith” for the Believers. If the Believers will not be able to stand before God and be judged–according to righteous judgment–what hope then can unbelievers have?

The time is far spent–it’s much later than we think. Whenever Jesus returns–we are closer to that return than ever before, and it’s time for Believers to stand on God’s Word, no matter what the enemy does to influence people to live in opposition to God. For the Word has said that rebellion is as witchcraft–they who rebel against God have been unduly influenced under an evil spell–and it is up to us who believe to counter the attack–with all godliness–living according to God’s Word and sharing the purpose of salvation to all who will believe, allowing Holy Spirit to guide our every word and deed.

Running Wild!

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” (Proverbs 29:18 NLT)

How many times do we have to see the actions of rebellious children to  know that somewhere along the way, they chose to ignore instruction and guidance or were never given any?

The children who are running wild, skip school, join gangs, and prefer getting high on drugs more than paying attention to good advice. When they drop-out of school, they are angry and rebellious and think life has treated them unfairly when in all reality, they end up where they do because of poor choices and willful ignorance of guidelines and rules.

How many times must a person ignore traffic laws to understand that ignoring them will bring about unwanted tickets and fines and eventually the loss of privilege to drive?

What’s amazing to me is the “anger and rebellion” often exhibited by those who blatantly ignore traffic laws. They drive under the influence of alcohol, after repeated DUIs. They don’t slow down after repeatedly getting tickets for speeding. They drive with suspended or revoked licenses and get angry when they are arrested. These are the “adults” who are running wild.

Realistically, those who never understand the importance of obedience as children, seldom get it as an adult. They view their consequences as just part of their unfair life, rather than accepting responsibility for their behavior and disobedience.

The same is true for all who ignore “divine guidance” from God–people end up in ruts and pits they cannot dig themselves out and blame everyone but themselves.

This country–right now–is running wild–very few are listening for divine guidance and we can see the results in every aspect of our society.  Without regulations for the airways, we are bombarded with all manner of immorality on prime-time television, cable, and even the cartoons and so-called–teen shows. Drugs are legal, but the bible is not. Sexual immorality is touted as “normal” but agreeing with God is touted as being “hateful.”

We are a nation–running amuk–without divine guidance and yet the same people who are responsible for the chaos are blinded to their role in the decadence of morality because they are afraid of what people think, “being insensitive” and have a greater desire to be “politically correct” than Godly righteous. Their desire is to please man and weak, fleshly desires, rather than to please God who holds the future of all mankind.

But we must understand the carnal mind (fleshly desires) is in opposition to the Spirit of God and cannot understand the benefits of living a Godly life before man and God.

Divine guidance is as close as your Relationship with God and in His Word. The choice is ours–are we running wild or heeding divine guidance and knowing the joy of doing so?

Ravaging Politicism (excerpt 3)

Morality

Expecting morality to be a foundational behavioral concept for anyone living in the 21^st Century is a waste of time; especially for politicians. Morality—they cannot spell it, have no idea how to live it, and probably could not find the word in a dictionary. That is just how foreign the word is to them.  However, let’s not leave out the rest of citizenry of our great country. If any were asked to define the word, most would not be able to give a credible definition and if asked and they were honest, they would not be able to say—they live a moral life (well, amoral would be accurate).

So why is it that we all get our underwear in bunches and knots raging and ranting about the idiot some of us elected, when their immorality is exposed? Did we not know? Could we not see? The people we elect to positions of authority are the same people that live next door to us, who fight and party and do all sorts of things. Why would anyone in their right mind think they would behave differently, if they were elected to a position?

Well, perhaps part of the problem is that not many people in their right mind are even voting during election these days. I understand. When there is not a great selection from which to choose, why bother! I am seriously considering either not voting or writing in my own name for any election in which I participate in the future. The blinders are off—none of them are worth my time and energy for consideration. Our supposed democracy is such a joke that it is beyond laughable. We might as well just sit back and say whoever can raise the most money, tell the best lies, and manipulate truth the best can have the office—any office—since they are all as corrupt as the next one. What happened to the people who had integrity? What happened to people who respected themselves and cared about others? What happened to “transparency” with regarding to fundraising for elections? That’s a biggie! Only the rich are represented in our current democracy, the rest of us just have to put up with what we get—our voices do not matter in any election. The rich do what the rich do—whatever they want—and then allow us to think our voices matter.

Somewhere along the line, our voices should matter, but when that will happen depends upon everyone reading and sharing this. The people—all the people—need to stand united against economic tyranny and declassification of the middle class and the poor. After all, we are people—real people—with real needs. We need to have government officials who care more about the people who put them into office than their raunchy bedside manners with women who are not their wives. First, we would need to teach those “extras” how to respect themselves and not get used by elected cad. They would have to be told that they would never be more than an extra in the life of a politician, never the main character in the life of easy street. The real problem with this approach is—who is going to teach them when there are not many who understand what a monogamous relationship is or should be?

While we are trying to determine what to do about the extras, the elected idiots are creating legislation that promotes immorality for all who want to participate. Most of the laws legislating morality have been struck down in the name of “stupidity” (I could not say what I really wanted to say here).  Once again, it becomes a matter of being “politically correct” versus morally right. The “Superior Stupine Court Justices (those who think are arrogant enough to think they are superior, but really specially stupid) are co-signing the stupidity and we are left with a morally bereft society in which no one knows what the end is going to be. Well, there is One who knows, but many will not believe Him.