Do you ever sit and ponder what your purpose on earth is? Ever ask yourself, “What are you living for?” Many people live their whole lives, never answering these questions. Henry David Thoreau famously said, “People live lives of quiet desperation.” What if you could live for something greater than yourself? The Apostle Paul shows us that path today.
Romans 8:5
“For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.”
Giving in to temptation
Most people are frustrated in their lives because they exist to please themselves all the time. Paul calls this “living according to the flesh.” All they think about is the next adventure, the next purchase, or the next fix that will make them happy. They spend all of their time and resources pursuing things that bring temporary pleasure at best. The flesh promises instant satisfaction, but like sugar, leaves you lower than you were before you had it.
Winning the Battle
There is a battle that rages in every believer every day between the flesh and the Spirit. We are exposed and tempted all day long to products and experiences that promise to change our lives but never do. How do we win the battle over those urges? Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. We don’t fight spiritual battles with physical weapons. We go to the heavenliness and seek the divine power of Jesus over the struggles that we are fighting.
What Are You Living For?
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you exist for Him, and that happens by walking in the Spirit. When we abide in the Spirit, we resist the flesh and desire to be used by God. For that to happen, we have to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. Fill your heart with God’s word. Sing songs that worship Him. Focus your eyes on the right things. Romans 12:2 tells us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we focus our mind on the things of the Spirit, we will see that transformation happens over time.