Must not go by how you feel ... this is flesh ...
We go by what the Word of God says instead of by feelings (emotions which are flesh) ...
Thus we go by "spirit" rather than flesh.
We
must make ourselves do what the Word of God says by doing it ... by
continuing to do what it says ... by making it reign over all other
things by doing it.
=========
II
Cor. 5 ... 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature:old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus
Christ, (The Word)
So
when thoughts of what we did in the past come to trouble us we must
refuse those thoughts ... that old person that I once was is dead, gone ... I am now a new person, created by God.
Phil.
3 ... 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:
Paul says let us "press" toward the mark
Press means: exert continuous effort toward in order to do it ... do and keep doing.
We make our mind go another way, focusing on the word from God ...
For example: Something goes wrong with a mechanical device, and we get upset and frustrated. If we make ourselves realize, "Our kingdom is not of this world ..." (Jn. 18) We can often calm down over the problem. And when we calm down, getting our flesh under control, we often then see the proper thing to do in order to deal with the problem.
Another example: Something unexpected happens to our body. We have pain in back or headache. Even in that, "Our kingdom is not of this world ..." These present bodies will not be going with us when we leave this earth. All this is temporary. If you are older and try to do things you did when younger without making adjustment, thinking you will fight age, you really are going the wrong way, a fleshly way, the way of this world. You are focused on flesh not spirit and as long as you focus on flesh you will depress yourself for your hope is in something that is incorrect.
If you stop and focus on the fact that everything we can see with the natural eye will pass away. This flesh will pass away. But that which is inside us will continue forever, the spirit in us our soul will continue forever, whether to reward from God or whether to eternal condemnation. Therefore Paul say "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2) ... that is important for it is forever.
And here are some very important truths which we must accept for if we accept these we will not be frustrated by this world but rather we will understand this world will get worse and worse for it is ordained such in the Bible.
I Jn. 5 ... 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
II Tim. 3 ... 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I Peter 3 ... 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Knowing these truths changes everything for me. Recently I told medical doctor the following: "I'm 78 (end of my life). I'm not interested in looking for cancer that might be in me to try to fix it. What I would want you to do is if there is pain, just try to help me with the pain. I would not try to remove the problem at my age."
My kingdom is not of this world. I'm just here on temporary basis.
==========
For example: Something goes wrong with a mechanical device, and we get upset and frustrated. If we make ourselves realize, "Our kingdom is not of this world ..." (Jn. 18) We can often calm down over the problem. And when we calm down, getting our flesh under control, we often then see the proper thing to do in order to deal with the problem.
Another example: Something unexpected happens to our body. We have pain in back or headache. Even in that, "Our kingdom is not of this world ..." These present bodies will not be going with us when we leave this earth. All this is temporary. If you are older and try to do things you did when younger without making adjustment, thinking you will fight age, you really are going the wrong way, a fleshly way, the way of this world. You are focused on flesh not spirit and as long as you focus on flesh you will depress yourself for your hope is in something that is incorrect.
If you stop and focus on the fact that everything we can see with the natural eye will pass away. This flesh will pass away. But that which is inside us will continue forever, the spirit in us our soul will continue forever, whether to reward from God or whether to eternal condemnation. Therefore Paul say "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2) ... that is important for it is forever.
And here are some very important truths which we must accept for if we accept these we will not be frustrated by this world but rather we will understand this world will get worse and worse for it is ordained such in the Bible.
I Jn. 5 ... 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
II Tim. 3 ... 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I Peter 3 ... 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Knowing these truths changes everything for me. Recently I told medical doctor the following: "I'm 78 (end of my life). I'm not interested in looking for cancer that might be in me to try to fix it. What I would want you to do is if there is pain, just try to help me with the pain. I would not try to remove the problem at my age."
My kingdom is not of this world. I'm just here on temporary basis.
==========
So we do not let our minds live by the flesh. Instead we understand certain truths from the Bible and we believe these truths and instead of allowing our mind to focus on fleshly things we review Bible principles which we believe and we make our mind focus on these truths ... It is a discipline ... an effort ... a determination
Paul says we must do this: moving into a perfection ...
Paul speaks of moving to "the prize" ... of the high calling of God in Christ.
Prize is that which is valuable, something of great value that is worth struggling for
value extremely highly ...
Unlike things of the flesh, this prize endures forever, through all eternity.
Paul also speaks of running so that we may obtain ...
I Cor. 9 ... 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I Cor. 9 ... 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.