{Be Devoted} Spirit-Controlled
Isn’t it interesting to think that one decision can literally alter the entire course of our lives? What’s even crazier is the fact that we make these life-changing decisions everyday! What if you happened to leave your house 15 seconds earlier and got hit on the interstate? What if you decided to skip church that one day and didn’t meet your future spouse? What if you just so happened to pick the seat on the airplane next to the girl who needed to hear the gospel?
It’s overwhelming to think about all the little decisions that impact our everyday lives and shape us into the people we are today. How many times have I passed up the opportunity to witness to someone? How many times have I avoided a life-altering mistake by making the right decision? These thoughts give me such a greater perspective of my life and lead me to one conclusion: I can’t do this life thing on my own. So often I strive to be in control and and do everything the way I want to instead of living my life controlled by the Spirit. But I just wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed to build God’s kingdom because I’ve been too busy building my own.
In Romans 8:6, Paul lays it out quite frankly, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
As believers, the only way we will be effective for Christ is if we let the Spirit control our mind. We will never make an impact if we live according to our flesh and do the things we want to do. In fact, God’s word says that letting our sin nature control us leads to death! I honestly believe that living a Spirit-led life means completely surrendering every single moment to Christ and looking at life in light of eternity. It’s a battle between our selfishness and the Spirit – and it’s not easy. But when we take a honest look at our lives, how can we ever hope to make a difference on our own? It’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us that we can be a generation of people that makes an impact!
God promises us that the decision to let the Spirit control our minds brings life and peace! Doesn’t that just bring you such great joy? When we walk by the Spirit, we don’t have to let the little things in life hold us back or cripple us with fear. When we cling to the promise of our Savior and the guidance of His Spirit, we will live in a way that brings ultimate glory to Him and takes full advantage of every opportunity thrown our way.
