October 21st
OCTOBER 21st
One of the hardest things about walking in the Holy Spirit can be getting our own mind out of the way. If we don’t train ourselves to seek the Holy Spirit’s input first, we can naturally and automatically use our conscious reasoning to evaluate a situation. Our physical brain naturally automates as much as possible to conserve resources. For instance, if we have a negative or harmful experience, the next time we come into a similar situation our brain will automatically send out alert signals which trigger a whole cascade of chemical and electrical responses in our body whether they are actually warranted or not. If our mind doesn’t recognize and override that response, we will continue to have that response everytime we come across a similar situation. The good news is that our mind can override the brain and it can tell the brain what to automate. First we have to recognize bad or negative patterns/responses that our brain has automated.
Just as the mind can retrain the brain regarding negative experiences, it can also retrain the brain with positive ones. You can train your mind and brain to stop and consult the Holy Spirit first. First thing in the morning, first thing in hard times, first thing in good times, first thing when making decisions, etc. If we want Holy Spirit results, we have to get our minds (and brains) out of the way.
We can’t continue to walk in the “flesh” and expect results that are not of the flesh. Said another way, we can’t expect Holy Spirit results from our mind. We have to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit to get His results. Often this means that if we come up with what we think it is a good idea, it might not be the Holy Spirit’s idea and we need to ask Him. I can tell you from experience that our good ideas that we did not run by the Holy Spirit first ended up being a handful, and more trouble than they were worth. So let’s start training our mind to yield to the Holy Spirit first, in all circumstances. THEN we will know what God’s will is, His perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Philippians 3:18-19 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
The only way to know what God is thinking is through the Holy Spirit so let’s keep in step with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Lord thank you for being willing to share your thoughts with me through the Holy Spirit. Help me to make you my first thought Holy Spirit. Help me to yield to you. Help me to be sensitive to you today and help me to keep in step with you. Help me to recognize immediately when I am making decisions with my mind instead of consulting you. Thank you for your help today.