Nov. 17, 2007
Spiritually Minded?
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
In dealing with people who put a large emphasis on "being right with God" (particularly by acts of self-humiliation such as "going to the altar", "surrendering to God", depriving the flesh, etc.), we have noticed an attitude that is more related to death, bondage and fear than to life and peace. It's a curious thing how people in certain church groups will push each other and strive to put each other "under conviction" with their comments, talk, singing, preaching and teaching. This is not what God intended for His children. Being "under conviction" is not being spiritually minded, and being able to put others "under conviction" does not prove someone has a spiritual mind!
True, we are all sinners and have need to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), but the constant digging in their own lives and the lives of those around them is not spiritual mindedness because it is not life and peace. The constant browbeating to "surrender" and to measure up (or should I say down?) to their standards is not life and peace. It is bondage. They are in bondage and they desire us to be also. Misery loves company - and it makes them feel more spiritual to push someone else down to a level beneath them OR to have someone else beat up on them spiritually.
The question then that this implies is, Since these people do not have life and peace, are they actually carnally minded? If one is in constant fear that they are not "surrendered" is this not "the spirit of bondage"? If one is constantly compelled to yield to the demands of men (and women) is this not the spirit of bondage? For to be carnally minded is death... and the child of God is not called to "live" a life of death and bondage. We are to live in confidence of our relationship to God. "Abba" is the equivalent of "Daddy" in English! This thought should give life and peace!
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? It seems that this would hold true as far as yielding and obeying man and his traditions rather than Christ. You are their servants if you yield to them rather than to the word of God. 2Corinthians 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
Christian, are you letting other people put you in fear and bring you into bondage with their carnal demands based on human traditions? Are you doing this to others? God says ...to be spiritually minded is life and peace. If their mind, or your mind, is so spiritual where is the life and peace?
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Glory to God! We can have life and peace and we can be spiritually minded, but it is not through following men nor in yielding to their bondage, smiting and self-exaltation! It is through staying our minds on God Himself!
2Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
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