Beating on my High-Chair
By Jason Glaze
This verse fascinates me.
Romans 8:7a NASB
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;
If I set my mind on the flesh, which means to set my mind on getting my needs met my way and in my time, I will become angry at God. Even if I water it down to say that I’m not angry, I’m frustrated, it makes no difference because the word frustrated seems to simply be the word that good Christians use instead of the word angry.
My flesh is my motivation for living that is in opposition of God’s will for me. My flesh is my selfishness, my self-centeredness that says my life is about me and what I want and what I don’t want. Whether I use the exact words or not, my flesh tells God that He should give me this or that, or He should not have let that happen.
If this is my mind set, I end up acting like a ticked off toddler beating on his high chair because mom and dad will not give me what I want.
Because the mind set on the flesh in hostile toward God.
Verse 6 of the same chapter says. For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. So it seems I have a choice. Set my mind on the flesh and experience death to mind, emotions, relationships, hopes, dreams, etc…… , or set my mind on the Spirit and experience life and peace. The life and peace may not come quickly but it will come. This is not a formula but and invitation to intimacy that develops as our relationship with God deepens.
If you are angry about something right now get still and see if you can trace the anger back to an area that your mind is set of your flesh. Then talk to God about that area until you have surrendered it to Him.
Peace,
Jason
