Scripture: Romans 8 v 6 - 8: "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
By now we should know that our soul consists of our will, our emotions and our mind. Our soul is the part of us that still needs to be brought under the power of God. Our soul grew when we knew not God and 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 forms our Christian character from our wild ways to moral and righteous behaviour.
Our carnal mind is all we knew and experienced mentally before we were born again and given a new set of life parameters. It 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. Our first sin opened up a huge can of evil worms that Jesus in us wants to destroy. 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.
The battle for the mind is now on. Before Jesus came in guilty pleasures were the norm. Now those old pleasures are tainted and we feel guilty 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, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
The method of this transformation of the mind is to read, follow and obey the Word of God - The Holy Bible. As we read and meditate on the scriptures they become a mirror for our actual state of mind. The Holy Spirit will guide and teach us by first showing us the things that are wrong. Listen and learn well and make the changes. He will be there to help and strengthen us as we 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. If we have the love of Jesus in us this thinking is wrong.
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: "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue or be any praise, think on these things."
If we are thinking good, lovely and pure thoughts about people we will not give our 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.
When our minds are centred on truth then we will easily avoid being deceived. We will recognise when the Holy Spirit nudges us to look more closely at the fine print, or at the person we are about to trust. Never ignore such nudges, they spare a lot of grief.
Cheaters never prosper. Zechariah 5 v 3 - 4: "Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."
If we have ever stolen anything or used the Lord's name as a curse word, read the above verses carefully and seriously. If we are in some kind of jeopardy or in danger of losing everything we possess through floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, fires, earthquakes or some legal process, we should search our hearts and if there is any guilt we should put it right as soon as possible. Just saying.
Let us take advantage of God's mercy and love for those who come out of darkness into the Light of Jesus. Lets remove all mental, emotional and evil barriers to joyful spiritual lives in the presence of the Almighty.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You want us to be pure, kind and gentle people who are disciplined in mind and body to reflect the nature of Jesus. Help us to achieve this speedily. In Jesus' name. Amen.