“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).
Did you know God gave you a choice? That’s right: life or death. You can choose either to be carnally minded which is death or to be spiritually minded which is life. It’s one or the other – now, the choice is yours.
If you’re moved by the flesh and the things of the world, they will lead you to death and all of it’s manifestations; but if you’re moved by the Spirit, then you will have life and peace.
God hates the carnal mind. It’s His enemy. It’s not subject to the law of God, nor can it be. So when you decide to walk around operating in the flesh, you cannot please God – period. In other words, approaching life from the standpoint of the flesh is operating totally contrary to God’s purpose and plan for your life.
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus commands us to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Notice, God doesn’t just want your heart. He wants your mind too. He wants every part of you.
Remember, man is a tri-part being. You are a Spirit. You have a soul, and you live in a body. The mind is part of the soul. So your mind must be involved in loving God, as well as your heart and your soul.
Now God wouldn’t tell you to do this if it was impossible. Right? A lot of people are walking around thinking, “well I just can’t help myself.” That’s not true. You can help yourself. You can control your mind.
I’ve learned the way to get the things of God is to follow His plan and not the carnal route. God has made it possible for you to have victory in every area of your mind. Now you have a choice – life or death.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:1-10: Philippians 4:7-8; Deuteronomy 30:19-20
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).