Scripture: Romans 8 v 6 - 8: "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then
they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
Our soul consists of our will, our emotions and our Mind
and is the part of us that still needs to be brought under the power of God. It
grew when we were independent of His will for us.
Our soul promotes carnality of the flesh, and encourages
it to be sinful. We cannot kill the soul but we must tame it and transform it
through obedience to Jesus Christ. This is a lifelong battle which changes our
character from our unsaved wild ways to moral and righteous Christian
behaviour.
Our carnal mind stores everything in its memory banks
either conscious or subconscious. It gravitates to fleshly pleasures and clings
fiercely to them. Our enemy had full control over our soul before Jesus came
into our hearts to spoil his evil fun.
The Blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sin and gives us a
clean slate and a fresh start to live a life of moral goodness but we still
have to overcome the pleasures of sin in our memories. The carnal mind does not
give up its pleasures easily so the battle for the mind is now on.
Before Jesus came into our hearts, guilty pleasures were
the norm. Now those old pleasures are tainted and we feel bad because we know
that God is not pleased with us for indulging in things He hates.
Romans 12 v 2: "And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
The method of this transformation of the mind is to read,
follow and obey the Word of God. As you meditate on the scriptures they become
a mirror for your actual state of mind. The Holy Spirit will guide you by first
showing you the things that are wrong. He will be there to help you make the
changes and strengthen you as you grow in grace.
Some may be ignorant of what makes our minds carnal. Its
a long list so I will abbreviate where I can. All thoughts of a sexual nature
eg fantasy lust; porn; unclean jokes and speech; ogling. The thoughts progress
to sinful behaviour and grieving of the Holy Spirit.
It is carnal to gossip, slander, undermine and curse
people. In Matthew 15 v 19 Jesus says "For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies; these are things which defile a man."
Counteract these with what Paul says in Philippians 4 v 8
- If you are thinking good, lovely and pure thoughts about people you will not
give your carnal mind time to get lustful, angry, murderous thoughts or to fill
it with worldly activities. Then the transformation will be complete and the
enemy of your soul will have a hard time leading you astray.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You want us to be pure, kind and
gentle people who are disciplined in mind and body to manifest the nature of
Jesus. Help us to achieve this by studying Your Word. In Jesus' name. Amen.