Today's Topic: To Set the Mind on the Flesh is Death!

Today, I want to share with you an important topic: To Set the Mind on the Flesh is Death!

A Harvard University research report indicates that children who do housework are more likely to succeed in the future! The employment rate of those who do housework versus those who do not is 15:1, and the crime rate is 1:10. Children who love doing housework also have lower divorce rates and a lower probability of developing serious illnesses and mental disorders!

After reading this, I looked at it from a biblical perspective. It's not really the housework that makes the difference. The key is that parents do not indulge the flesh of their children. Some families, some parents, are afraid that letting their children do housework will delay their studies. As a result, their studies are not that great either. When they grow up, there is not much prospect of them succeeding. The reason is not housework, but indulging the flesh.

In my past ministry, I have found that most people with cancer, depression, mental illness, or those with long-term tormenting illnesses have one thing in common: indulging the flesh. It turns out that indulging the flesh is not the way to go; indulging the flesh is death! This is the most important guiding principle in Paul's and the Lord Jesus' ministry! In fact, I find that one of the most confusing concepts in ministry is treating the indulgence of the flesh as love. When ministering to those patients with cancer and mental illness, I advise them to do more housework. Some people do not understand and feel that I have no love, making them work when they are so sick! In fact, these diseases come from their previous unwillingness to work. It comes from indulging the flesh. Letting her do housework is the best love! Lazy people are prone to illness!

Speaking of not indulging the flesh, it may seem bad, but the result is very good! For example, YX, a sister in our MD group, is a bit straightforward when speaking in the group, which can also make people feel a bit sarcastic. Of course, the motive is definitely for the growth of the brothers and sisters. But the group has grown significantly. Over the years, it has grown from two people to more than a dozen! I think the reason is that she did not treat indulging the flesh as love! Everyone needs to think about it. Do not treat ideas that come out of your head as truth.

In the days to come, we need to prepare ourselves to meet the tornado-like growth. Our various ministries are preparing for this! Not indulging the flesh is the most critical service concept for us to welcome revival! This is fundamental. Think about it, putting a group of people who indulge the flesh in the church, plus a pastor who indulges the flesh, that is a place to corrupt people!

Our ministry must become more and more capable and efficient to cope with the growth of the church! I think, through the next few Sundays' messages, we can set the tone for our ministry. As written in our weekly bulletin: The pastor encourages brothers and sisters to focus on the following four aspects in their ministry: 1) dealing with the sinful desires of the flesh, 2) serving by the power of the Holy Spirit, 3) being rooted in the Word of God (the Bible), and 4) really solving problems in life. Everyone can practice in these four areas.

Many problems in a person's life are related to indulging the flesh. As the saying goes, spoiling a child is like killing a child. This is the issue we will be discussing this Sunday. It's a bit heavy, but it's very beneficial.

Next Sunday, I want to share with you about power ministry. Some brothers and sisters have told me privately, Pastor, are we talking too much about casting out demons and healing the sick? I prayed with this question, and God revealed to me that we are still not doing enough. Those who have not yet practiced in this area, or who have stopped practicing for some reason, I encourage you to start thinking! Do not wait until we need this ability most, and then be at a loss!

I want to tell you that we are not doing enough in dealing with the sinful desires of the flesh, and we are far from doing enough in serving by the power of the Holy Spirit! Even today, there are still people in our church who are afraid of casting out demons! Dealing with the sinful desires of the flesh and power ministry are both matters of life and death!

Today, let's look at To Set the Mind on the Flesh is Death!

Let's look at today's scripture.

Today's Scripture: Romans 8:4-8

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Basic Line and Principles of Our Church

Implementing what the Bible says!

Hearing does not count; implementation is key!

Implement step by step, restore step by step, and see the glory of God step by step!

There is still much that we have not implemented!

When I give some examples, do not think that I am judging people. I am illustrating a problem: that implementing God's Word is key! Those who implement it will receive, and those who do not implement it, even if they memorize the entire Bible, will not receive it!

I encourage everyone to be implementers!

If you can implement the scripture we read today, that will be amazing!

What is This Scripture Saying?

The scripture we read is excerpted from the most critical two chapters of Romans. Let's read the context.

Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (The flesh is related to sin, and sin has personality; it is a symbol of the devil. We will look at what the flesh is later.)

Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (Those who follow the flesh do things that they do not agree with in their hearts, but they still do them. It is the demon in our flesh that does it. Demons control people through the flesh. Having the ability to cast out demons does not attract demons, but indulging the flesh does attract demons.)

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (Again, if we follow the flesh, we will be controlled by the sinful nature, which is the devil.)

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Paul summarizes this life situation into a law. Behind this law is an explanation of the composition of man.)

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Life is bitter because of this body of death. Living in the flesh is really bitter! To set the mind on the flesh is death; the spirit of death is on people, which is very painful!)

Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (In Jesus Christ, we can be set free! To free us from the bondage of sin and death.)

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (The rules and regulations of the law cannot solve the problem of sin. Rules cannot stop the work of demons; only Jesus Christ can! But we must choose whom to obey! Our choice is very important.)

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (You see, for Christians, what they set their minds on is very important.)

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

From What Paul Said, We Can See the Composition of Man

Such a large passage talks about several things: 1) People originally lived helplessly. They knew the law was good, but they just could not carry it out! They could not implement it. Why? Because of the nature of the flesh. That is to say, the nature of man is controlled by sin. Man cannot solve this problem on his own. 2) Christ Jesus became salvation and provided a solution. 3) Whoever obeys the Holy Spirit can be freed from the bondage of sin. We must choose which one to obey. We can obey the flesh and continue to be controlled, or we can obey the Holy Spirit and subdue the nature of sin!

It is, in fact, the very nature of our own flesh that leads to the dominion of the devil!

This provides us with guiding principles for dealing with ourselves, and also guiding principles for our service.

The Composition of Man – Spirit and Flesh

The relationship between spirit and flesh.

Man's Choices

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is useless.

Jhn 6:60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Jhn 6:61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Jhn 6:62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! Jhn 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

The Concept of Salvation

What does Paul mean by “set your mind on the flesh”?

Gal 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Gal 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Gal 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; Gal 5:20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions Gal 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

When you have within you – rivalry, coupled with reasonable justifications, and you yield to it, feeling it is right, feeling it is justified, you are setting your mind on the flesh! Competing for power and gain. For oneself...

When you have within you – hatred, unforgiveness, coupled with reasonable justifications, and you yield to it, feeling it is right, feeling it is justified, you are setting your mind on the flesh! What follows is bitterness. The reaction of bitterness is a bitter replay, constantly repeating the experience of being treated unfairly! The talk starts to change!

When you have within you – disobedience, coupled with reasonable justifications for disobedience, and you yield to it, feeling it is right, feeling it is justified, you are setting your mind on the flesh! This will bring witchcraft and illegitimate authority. Using illegitimate authority is witchcraft. Blatant resistance to authority is black magic. Stealthy, packaged as an angel of light, is white magic. These are all witchcraft! (1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.)

Using a bright spiritual cloak, the witchcraft becomes even more deceptive!

When you have within you – factions and strife, along with reasonable justifications, and you yield to it, feeling it is right, feeling it is justified, you are setting your mind on the flesh! Striving for your own interests.

Those who set their minds on the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh!

Setting your mind on the things of the flesh is focusing on human affairs, forgetting the things of God!

Interpersonal relationships are very spiritual!

The flesh wars against our spirit; it is a battle that determines life and death!

The battle within the heart.

External battles are simple! Casting out demons, healing, deliverance, are not the most difficult! The most difficult is dealing with the battles within us. The battles within us determine our life and death!

This is what Jesus said, Luk 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

What can make our names recorded in heaven? It is that we become more like Jesus! Filled with bitterness, unforgiveness, filled with the desires of the flesh, setting your mind on the things of the flesh, remaining merely spiritual infants is not enough!

This is the key to living the inner life!

Everyone has listened to Jiang Xiuqin's Inner Life series, is there any change within? Have you overcome your own fleshly nature? Do you still set your mind on the things of the flesh?

Our inner life training is to put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit!

Effective method – The Holy Spirit

Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

A lifetime endeavor! Never let the life of the flesh come alive!

Internal enemy – Our flesh

Opening doors for demons

Casting out demons does not invite demons; setting your mind on the flesh invites demons.

Ineffective methods – Fleshly, without any effect

Methodology:

Col 2:22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Col 2:23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Col 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Not rules, not methods, but relying on the Spirit of God! Have faith in God, and the Spirit of God can manifest great power! Without faith in God, you will fall into rules!

Dealing with sexual immorality, I must tell you the truth, if a person wants to be sexually immoral, no rules can stop them! Do you understand what I mean?

Our service is to tear down the fleshly value system!

Edifying people is not a simple task.

Those who have been teachers know this.

Dealing with a person’s fleshly nature is the most edifying! On the surface, it seems strict, even ruthless, but it is the best help for a person trapped in the flesh! If you want to help a person, solve her problem, the key is to remove the root of the problem within her! – Setting your mind on the flesh, setting your mind on the things of the flesh! (For example, someone who gets angry easily and is easily offended. If you collude with her in judging good and evil, saying that it is unfair that people treat her this way, a small annoyance can become a big anger! Not the generosity of a broad mind, but a great anger! If you deal with her fleshly nature... her anger will dissipate! Even a fool knows whether talking to you makes the problem in her heart bigger or smaller!)

Tearing down a long-accumulated value system within a person is a difficult task. To deal with this fleshly value system, a Yes-Man cannot accomplish anything.

Dare to face, dare to confront, see transformation in conflict!

Being strong and courageous is very important!

Setting your mind on the flesh is not love! Serving according to the flesh harms people!

If you cannot serve, then do not serve.

Fleshly beastliness, wolfishness

1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1Jn 2:16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

Setting your mind on the flesh is being hostile to God; setting your mind on the flesh cannot please God!

The devil's most powerful trick is to make people set their minds on the flesh! Setting your mind on human intentions! Not setting your mind on God's intentions!

God's intention is to put to death the misdeeds of the body. Even Jesus Christ, without sin, still crucified his body! How much more should we!

Mat 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Mat 16:22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Mat 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mat 16:25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

1Co 3:1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 1Co 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 1Co 3:3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

The Israelites who died in the wilderness

Are you a person who sets their mind on the flesh, or will you be a person who sets their mind on the things of God, aligns with the Holy Spirit, and obtains life?

Brothers and sisters, God's purpose for us is great. Do not only care about the things of the flesh. Begin to take on the mission that God has for us!

Conclusion: Setting your mind on the flesh is death!

Now, I set before you life and death, blessings and curses! Whatever you choose, you will receive!