Topic: Being spiritually minded
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).
Being carnally minded involves focusing on things of the world as directed by the flesh. The natural man lives only to satisfy his desires. On the other hand a spiritually minded person focuses on matters of the Spirit; nurturing spiritual desires. Such a mind lives for the gospel. The Holy Spirit dwells in every born again child of God making us a new creature (2 Cor 5:17) and such a mind witnesses to the spirit both in word and in deed. Thus, their actions will reflect what they say or preach. The character of a spiritually minded person will reflect the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These traits are cultivated by the Holy Spirit in the life of those He dwells.
Such a person will feed regularly on the word of God. Reading, studying and meditating on the word brings a spiritual renewal that one needs, just like good food helps to maintain the physical body. The Bible is God’s special revelation to mankind and one should therefore delight in knowing the revelation and continuously feed on it to keep the spirit alive.
Spiritually minded Christians pray continuously to God in order to stay connected to their source. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) says, “Pray without ceasing.”, to ensure you do not give any room for your mind to be corrupted in any way. This shows their dependence on God as a way of ensuring they do not leave His presence. This also helps them to maintain a healthy relationship with other believers by fellowshipping together. In coming together to serve God, iron helps to sharpen iron. Struugling believers find resources to uphold them while backslidden ones are re-ignited and in the process, growth, grace, love, forgiveness and motivation for godliness are fostered. They view suffering from a different perspective as they know it’s one of the chapter traits of a true believer knowing that such sufferings arising from trials and pains produce perseverance, and perseverance brings about experience which in turn leads to hope, and hope in God never lead to shame as God does not disappoint. This is because spiritually people minded rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And finally, spiritual mindedness make you become intimate with God which you guard jealously as your continued soaring depends on this. As you remain committed to a life of prayer, study of God’s word, fellowshipping with other believers, rejoice in suffering, you get more intimate with your maker choosing life and peace over death as stated in Romans 8:6 (KJV), “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Action point: Father, please help me to focus on being intimate with you for the rest of my life in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero