What’s on your Mind?

After many years of playing tennis and watching my children in their sports activities, I’ve realized that athleticism and talent is second to mental focus. If you can’t focus your mind to drown out all the other voices—you will lose. In sports they call it the zone. It’s when a player is so focused on the game; they don’t hear the roar of the crowd or any other distractions.

If you want to walk in the Spirit, you need to get in the spiritual zone.

Your mind brings you into the zone. When you are spiritually connected to God, you’re not distracted by the flurry of activity around you. You learn to trust the Holy Spirit within to guide, direct, and lead you into the right paths.

“We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

How can we have the mind of Christ? We can take the steps of M-I-N-D and begin to walk in the Spirit so we don’t fulfill the lusts of our flesh (or sinful nature).

M- Meditate on the Word of God

“I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways” (Psalm 119:15)

Meditation is simply rehearsing what God’s word says over and over in your mind. You won’t be nudged so easily by the flesh to do those things which are sinful.

I- Invite the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit gives direction and guidance in your Christian walk. It’s so easy for us to dismiss the urgings of the Spirit when our minds are so busy with everything else.

N- Nurture your Mind with Study

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Be involved in a Bible study that challenges your faith and helps you to become more knowledgeable on the Bible. Every answer necessary for your life is in the Bible.

D- Discipline your Mind

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

You discipline your mind like your body—you take care what you allow into it. By cutting off unhealthy visual and auditory prompts, you can restrain your thoughts.

Spiritual growth over fleshly desires is possible. It comes day-by-day, step-by-step with a determined spirit, an open heart, and changed mind. Aren’t you tired of losing to the flesh? Perhaps you feel overwhelmed or exhausted with trying to live Spirit over flesh. Next time, let's understand how God's grace gives you the strength to overcome the flesh.

The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.