Spirit Control

Why have I been writing about mind power when we as Christians are spiritual beings? 

Because, we have a mandate from God to control our thoughts!

Romans 8:6 (Amplified Bible)

“Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].”

Thought control

Thought control has become all the more important in these Biblical “end times” as we head to the closing of the age. Bombardment of the senses by the digital media is becoming all the more intense and God is telling us that the thoughts of the natural mind lead to death.

Let me pose this question. Just how many Christians spend most of the day thinking natural thoughts instead of Spiritual controlled thoughts? Very few, I venture to say. Let’s look at another translation of the same verse.

Romans 8:6 (New Living Translation)

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

Too many of us are just running on automatic. Thought float in and out without our intervention and as the scripture reveals, this is leading to our death. “But I am not dying,” you may be saying, “I do confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, and so I will be saved!” (Romans 10:9) 

Yes, you will make heaven but what about the death that comprises all the miseries arising right here along the way as the Amplified Bible version tells us.What I am saying is that unless you control your natural thought and replace them continually with Spirit filled thoughts, you will experience unnecessary miseries along the way.

Where do the miseries come from? They arise from core beliefs or thoughts that are continually thought and have become embedded in your unconscious mind, as explained in a previous blog. These thoughts lead to your expectations and they set the stage as to what you will experience in life.

Just what are thoughts controlled by the Spirit? The encouragements and promises from God that we read about in the Bible are Spirit filled thoughts.

The Bible itself claims to be God’s Word and the scriptures are therefore thoughts that come from the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action).

Here we read that the scriptures are profitable for training us to think God’s thoughts and purposes.

If you don’t have a little book of Bible promises, I highly recommend buying one and memorize the ones that speak to you.

Be a Spirit-controlled person

Jesus was such a person

Luke 4:1
Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit.

Stephen was such a person.

Acts 6:5
And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit,

You can be such a person.

Romans 8:9
You are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].

Titus 2:12
It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world.

As well know and we see here, not all desires are from God but from the flesh.

Ephesians 2:2
“You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].”

The Bible tells us here that the natural world with all its hurricanes, disasters and all its natural thoughts and feelings are under the control of the devil!

Desires of your heart

Note that desires of the heart are not carnal in origin but from God. The desire to see God’s health, His abundance and His purposes manifested in your life are Spirit inspired.

Desires of the heart are God given and therefore inspired and placed there by the Holy Spirit.

Asking for and receiving their manifestation through thinking, speaking and visualizing them as already existing is therefore imperative!  Don’t be lead to believe that all the things that you may want are from your flesh. You may need that vacation. You may need that bigger house. You may need that extra cash.

Don’t fall into the trap of believing that having or wanting abundance is from the devil. Abundance is His nature and so is yours too! God’s way to wealth is not by chasing it but allowing the blessings of God to overtake you. I have heard preachers speak against prosperity and yet are always grateful to receive your check! We all need cash and plenty of it! Why the hypocrisy?  

Galatians 5:16
But I say walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

You must use the tools that God has given you to lead a fulfilled life. Too many good people are not seeing God’s purposes in them fulfilled because their minds are washed in carnality by thoughts from the natural world. It is time to stop and take a serious look at your thoughts Mr. Good Christian, and see where they are coming from!

Malachi 2:16
therefore, keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit].

This is a serious business!