Battle of the mind, overcoming the flesh

[Guest clancy]

We are all on our own personal journey with the Lord, first, when I became a new babe, the mind was a battlefield , but, as we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, as time goes by ,he works in and through us, renewing our minds daily.

i had a really interesting encounter with a guy on YouTube, he was really rude to me ,on a comment I made to the youtuber,....my first reaction was to have a go back, which I did, that was my flesh talking, then I felt prompted to delete my post,which I did, 

I then quoted scripture, that I believe the Lord wanted me to post, which I did,.....after I had posted,......I went back later to see if he had answered, I was amazed to find that he had actually deleted his previous rude post.

My point is, don’t react with rudeness back, it just feeds the fire.....

I am still learning not to react even after 30 yrs of walking with the Lord...

Edited April 25, 2021 by clancy

[Whyme]

29 minutes ago, clancy said:

We are all on our own personal journey with the Lord, first, when I became a new babe, the mind was a battlefield , but, as we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, as time goes by ,he works in and through us, renewing our minds daily.

i had a really interesting encounter with a guy on YouTube, he was really rude to me ,on a comment I made to the youtuber,....my first reaction was to have a go back, which I did, that was my flesh talking, then I felt prompted to delete my post,which I did, 

I then quoted scripture, that I believe the Lord wanted me to post, which I did,.....after I had posted,......I went back later to see if he had answered, I was amazed to find that he had actually deleted his previous rude post.

My point is, don’t react with rudeness back, it just feeds the fire.....

I am still learning not to react even after 30 yrs of walking with the Lord...

I agree, our words are very important, not to be taken lightly. Not only for the benefit others but ourselves too. Im working on that myself. The Good thing is that its God working in me, guiding me in those things. 

[Hopefully]

Hi Whyme very nice post. I would like to contribute with this scripture. 

“We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not. I am so human. Sin rules me as if I were its slave. I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, and I do the evil I hate. And if I don’t want to do what I do, that means I agree that the law is good. But I am not really the one doing the evil. It is sin living in me that does it.

Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is not spiritual. I want to do what is good, but I don’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do. I do the evil that I don’t want to do. So if I do what I don’t want to do, then I am not really the one doing it. It is the sin living in me that does it.

So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me. In my mind I am happy with God’s law. But I see another law working in my body. That law makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and that law makes me its prisoner.

What a miserable person I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord! So in my mind I am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful self I am a slave to the law of sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:14-25‬ ‭

 

 

[Mike Mclees]

On 4/21/2021 at 8:45 PM, Zemke said:

That's a great question. It's right in the heart of our discipleship, being built up and maturing in the faith.

The only thing that is free in this world is salvation, but growing in Christ comes at a cost. We are told in Romans to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service. When Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow He is saying to lose your life in this world for My sake. Render the old man dead. Crucify the old man of sin. 

We drop our cross in numerous ways but over time and with much repentance we grow.  

Jesus was 100% earthly good because He was 100% heavenly minded. Remember? He said set your treasures in heaven. 

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians3:10 ..that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to His death.

Paul goes on in Romans talking about the retched man that he is, the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak. Our life will be a struggle but our struggles are for us to work out our own salvation to learn to be content, to grow in love for Jesus and to walk in the power of His resurrection. 

So it's our old nature that needs to remain dead. Remember Jesus' words. Those that seek to save their life in this world will lose it, but they who lose their lives for My sake will gain life, and life everlasting.

There's an old song that goes something like, "Sin will take you where you do not want to go"  Choose good, that you may live.

Focusing on the sin, like what psychology does, will not work. Paul in Colossians again. 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom......but are of no value against fleshly indulgences.

 

 

 

 

This is a good post . I would sum it it up. If we don't understand the war then We never knew Jesus. If it were not for grace we would have no hope at all. That is an  absolute truth. Thank God that there is a day coming soon.   

[Your closest friendnt]

On 4/21/2021 at 1:55 PM, Whyme said:

I wanted to share a couple scriptures about how to deal with sin in our lives. Scripture and God are the teachers.  Do these two scriptures teach the same thing? Are they related? They sound like they are, what is your opinion? Note they both refer to peace. Please feel free to post more scripture and or your opinion about overcoming the flesh/sin in our lives. Thank you. Im sorry to burden you with yet another thread. I wished i had another place to post this one but i have no clue where that would be. 

 

On 4/21/2021 at 1:55 PM, Whyme said:

Romans 8:5 For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind [f]set on the flesh is death, but the mind [g]set on the Spirit is life and peace,

 7 because the mind [h]set on the flesh is hostile toward God;

for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

*Paul in verse 7 he is describing someone caught in some situation of the flesh (something that is common to people and not specifically something illegal or criminal, perhaps in a habit that he has been living with for quite some time that it has become part of himself that he identifies himself with that habit and is has become his nature. 

It does not have to be a matter of sexually immoral behavior or lust or both. 

*It could be of the nature of being a chain smoker, this is a good example as we can talk about it without anyone being offended.  

In v7 Paul said that "he is not able to do so", "to subject his mind and himself to the Law of God".

What would the Law of God be in this situation where the man is a chain smoker and he has no control over it.

He a accepted the call to do something about it (which we may call repentance as he is trying to change his way) but Paul and we do not  need Paul to tell us that (no offense to anyone) that this man's self is so afflicted that he cannot do anything about that, as if his affliction has taken over the stirring of his boat and he cannot take it back.

As Paul said he has no control over it, or his affliction rules over him.

This is what Paul is describing a man in the flesh with afflictions of this kind is a man who cannot please God, because his afflictions rule him over, it is without being able to exercise his choice over his situation. 

In contrast to a lot of other things or weaknesses that a man may find himself in and even thought he may loose control at times he is also able to exercise control over at other times  

In this situation we have a man who can please God inspite of giving in his habit he is trying to put into subjection.

Other people may not be please with him but God is very well please with him.

And why God can be please with him?  It sounds strange that God is please with a man who is on the "strate path for a while and then he is on his own path and then back again, and in and outer.

Living over the fence (what some may say).

God is please with him because he is giving God what he has, he gives to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar when Ceasar comes demanding something from him and he gives to God what belongs to God. 

God is easier to be please than man.

God won't require from man what he cannot give, because he does not have it as yet, but man is very critical and often interfered with the plan of God in someone's else growth in him and demand from man to give them what he does not have and they have...

Causing phycological damage to the person , exercising force to get from him what he is not ready to give.

 

On 4/21/2021 at 1:55 PM, Whyme said:

Philippians 4:8 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. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

 

 

[Whyme]

1 hour ago, Your closest friendnt said:

 

*Paul in verse 7 he is describing someone caught in some situation of the flesh (something that is common to people and not specifically something illegal or criminal, perhaps in a habit that he has been living with for quite some time that it has become part of himself that he identifies himself with that habit and is has become his nature. 

It does not have to be a matter of sexually immoral behavior or lust or both. 

*It could be of the nature of being a chain smoker, this is a good example as we can talk about it without anyone being offended.  

In v7 Paul said that "he is not able to do so", "to subject his mind and himself to the Law of God".

What would the Law of God be in this situation where the man is a chain smoker and he has no control over it.

He a accepted the call to do something about it (which we may call repentance as he is trying to change his way) but Paul and we do not  need Paul to tell us that (no offense to anyone) that this man's self is so afflicted that he cannot do anything about that, as if his affliction has taken over the stirring of his boat and he cannot take it back.

As Paul said he has no control over it, or his affliction rules over him.

This is what Paul is describing a man in the flesh with afflictions of this kind is a man who cannot please God, because his afflictions rule him over, it is without being able to exercise his choice over his situation. 

In contrast to a lot of other things or weaknesses that a man may find himself in and even thought he may loose control at times he is also able to exercise control over at other times  

In this situation we have a man who can please God inspite of giving in his habit he is trying to put into subjection.

Other people may not be please with him but God is very well please with him.

And why God can be please with him?  It sounds strange that God is please with a man who is on the "strate path for a while and then he is on his own path and then back again, and in and outer.

Living over the fence (what some may say).

God is please with him because he is giving God what he has, he gives to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar when Ceasar comes demanding something from him and he gives to God what belongs to God. 

God is easier to be please than man.

God won't require from man what he cannot give, because he does not have it as yet, but man is very critical and often interfered with the plan of God in someone's else growth in him and demand from man to give them what he does not have and they have...

Causing phycological damage to the person , exercising force to get from him what he is not ready to give.

 

 

Thank you. I have a theory that a person can get their mind right if they observe Paul's teaching. This takes self control i think. Many times a day i put unwanted thoughts out of my mind. What would happen if i didnt? 

[Your closest friendnt]

1 hour ago, Whyme said:

Thank you. I have a theory that a person can get their mind right if they observe Paul's teaching. This takes self control i think. Many times a day i put unwanted thoughts out of my mind. What would happen if i didnt? 

This is not what Paul wants to tell us in v7.

Paul is talking about people who have decided to do something contrary to the power that is working in them.

The power of their afflictions which is stronger than them as in v7 they are not able to subject not only their mind but also themselves to God.

When they are not ruled by their afflictions they are willing but when their afflictions come like a flood they take over them and ruled them, like severe addictions 

With time and prayer and the help of others they can develop the counter power to resist and fight back and take control of themselves even  beginning with small periods at first. 

They need to fight back against the power from within their body and from without and develop mental strength to stand their ground. As much as they can and gaining control over their afflictions giving the time for gradual healing of themselves. It can be done with a persistent fight and continuous prayer and support from others.

***what you are referring to is become conscious of what one is thinking and trying to take control over their own thoughts till their mind learns to learn to adapt to their ways of thinking by it self.

Operating in a new mindset. 

 

[Whyme]

3 minutes ago, Your closest friendnt said:

This is not what Paul wants to tell us in v7.

Paul is talking about people who have decided to do something contrary to the power that is working in them.

The power of their afflictions which is stronger than them as in v7 they are not able to subject not only their mind but also themselves to God.

When they are not ruled by their afflictions they are willing but when their afflictions come like a flood they take over them and ruled them, like severe addictions 

With time and prayer and the help of others they can develop the counter power to resist and fight back and take control of themselves even  beginning with small periods at first. 

They need to fight back against the power from within their body and from without and develop mental strength to stand their ground. As much as they can and gaining control over their afflictions giving the time for gradual healing of themselves. It can be done with a persistent fight and continuous prayer and support from others.

***what you are referring to is become conscious of what one is thinking and trying to take control over their own thoughts till their mind learns to learn to adapt to their ways of thinking by it self.

Operating in a new mindset. 

 

Im not seeing a problem. 

Romans 8:5 For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,

Philippians 4:8 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.

[Whyme]

Proverbs 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Edited April 27, 2021 by Whyme

[Whyme]

2 Corinthians 10: 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,