Romans 8:5-8 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”
A mind set on the desires of the sinful nature is a kind of death, a hostility to God, a turmoil. This passage implies that such a mind can exist even in a believer who has focused on the wrong desires. Seeking to please the sinful nature (feeding pride, lust, status, money, etc.) drains away true life, peace, and the joy of pleasing God. But the mind controlled by God’s Spirit is life and peace.
Father, please show me where I am setting my mind on what the sinful nature desires instead of on your desires. I want to please you and cannot do that without the control of your Spirit. Take control, Lord. Show me every moment how to live, what to say, where to go today.