One Bite At A Time

There are some wonderful, if not supernatural, aspects to living life by the Holy Spirit!  However, the foundation of the Spirit empowered life is fairly simple and routine according to Romans 8:5-6.  It is the practice and discipline of setting one’s mind on the “things” of the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to theSpirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  (Romans 8:5-6 ESV, emphasis added)

If the Holy Spirit is wholly and completely God…and Jesus made it clear that He is…then those “things” are everything about the Godhead.  What an overwhelming idea!  How do we grab a hold of everything about God?  God draws an awesome picture of the difference between humanity and Himself in these words: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higherthan your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:9 ESV)

As hard as it is to grasp the fullness of God, it is not impossible for the believer to set his or her mind on the things of the Spirit as the Spirit is the believer’s helper.  And setting one’s mind on the Spirit becomes easier when the motivational saying about eating an elephant is applied: it is done one bite at a time.  In the New Testament, there are several bite-sized instructions that draw the believerinto the life of the Spirit.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV, emphasis added)

To set one’s mind on the things of the Spirit means focusing on matters worthy of God.  For instance, to set one’s mind on whatever is true means thinking about Jesus because He is the Truth (John 14:6).  To think about what is honorable is to consider what it means to live in the presence of the Lord (Romans 1:21).  To meditate on pure things will expose the darkness of one’s passions and bring renewal to a believer’s heart (2 Timothy 2:22).  It is amazing what the Spirit does through a heart focused and filled with Him.

Have you ever heard that phrase, “but be filled with the Spirit?”

More to come!