Bible Reading: Psalm 79-81; Romans 8:1-18.
Memory Verse: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (KJV).
I grew up in a family where we were morally brought up by a very religious Islamic father but knew nothing about faith. Thus when we young children were on our own, we used to dream of the type of profession, car and house we would live in. But because of my upbringing, the sense of fairness, justice and support for others was in me. But even at that early age, some children were brutal, inconsiderate and were self-centered.
Self-centeredness is at the heart of carnality. Cambridge Dictionary defines carnality as the physical feelings and wants of the body. Thus, a carnal mind is concerned mainly about satisfying his bodily demands. This involves paying attention to his physical needs and less concern about the soul. This pushes self-centredness as priority for such a person. Thus, a carnal mind is less concerned about the future of his soul but more interested in planning for his bodily demands today and tomorrow. That is the story of the rich farmer in Luke 12: 16-21.
On the other hand, a Spiritual mind is more concerned about his soul and worries about what happens after living this earth. He is concerned about how to nourish the soul just as the body is nourished. Such a mind is concerned about the relationship with God and this dovetails into his relationship with other creations of God. He is thus concerned about the welfare of other people and how to relate with them as spiritual people. So it takes a spiritual person to visit the fatherless or widow in their affliction, to provide for the poor and seek for justice and FairPlay among people.
Once you are truly born again, you receive a heart of flesh which makes you spiritual and able to consider others in your approach to life. But you need to continually submit yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit in you to live a spiritual life that will show love to other beings. Thus you need to examine yourself to know your mind based on your behavior. If you are carnal, then it is time you rededicate your life to Christ and yield yourself to the Holy Spirit. This will give you peace of mind and life eternal. No wonder Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:6 (KJV), “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to love as you do and give me the grace to be sensitive to the needs of people around me in Jesus Christ’s mighty name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero