Mind

During our daily activities or when the day's planned activities are at an end, what fills our minds? Is it the way others have manipulated and controlled us, or satisfaction about some accomplished goal? We might remember, "For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." - Rom. 8:5 (ASV). Most people don't like to be manipulated or controlled; this is very true for Christians, also. However, there is a tension between being in personal control and responsibility. In fact, while remaining responsible, we are controlled and manipulated either by our sinful nature or by the Spirit of God; there is no middle ground in this. Sometimes Satan can manipulate us to think various choices are our personal freedom away from the control of others. These rebellious choices end up wounding us, our relationships, and pushing us away from God. This personal freedom enslaves us to addictive processes, systems, and habits. We can be drawn into the spinning vortex of sin's power: our thoughts and plans are increasingly controlled by sin's enslaving lifestyle. The Spirit, however, can free us from this bondage, however it remains the Christian's responsibility to ask the resident Holy Spirit for help. If we ask, the Spirit can give us the power to live with real freedom, enjoying a life full of his fruit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We must choose to actively seek the Spirit's influence over our will, and commit to His guidance in what we think and do. When we take this approach, those thoughts at the end of the day become more pleasant. We have taken another step along our unique individual spiritual journey.