In review of Romans 8:6, 8 it says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (GNT).
Bottom Line:
By default our human nature alone will result in death. Instead seek to be controlled by the Spirit so that you can life a life of peace, one that pleases God.
What this means to me:
Being controlled by the Holy Spirit results in peace for my life. If I allow myself to be controlled by my human nature I won’t be able to please God.
In Romans 8:6 Paul tells me that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Because of my association to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit frees me from the power of sin that ultimately leads to death.
In his mercy and love God did what the law couldn't do. He sent his own Son in a sinful body like mine. God declared an end to sin's control over me by giving his Son as a sacrifice for my sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for me.
Now if I"m to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, then do what I can to please the Spirit. Letting my sinful nature control my mind will only lead to death. But letting the Spirit control my mind leads to life and peace. The sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never obey's God's laws,. That is why those who are still under control of their sinful nature can never please God.
Without Jesus I would have no hope at all, but thank God! He has declared me not guilty and has offered me freedom from sin and power to do his will. The Holy Spirit gives me the power I need to live the Christian life.
It seems there are two categories of people: those dominated by their sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. I would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered me a way out. As I set myself to follow him, he will continue to bring life and peace. I must consciously choose each day to center my life on God. I can use the Bible to discover God's guidelines, and them follow them. When perplexing situations come, ask myself, "What would Jesus want me to do?" Then when the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.
It seems that learning to manage my emotions is the key to peace of mind.
Here are four important reasons from God’s Word on why I need to learn to manage my emotions and deal with what I feel.
1. Learn to manage my emotions because they are often unreliable.
My gut is often wrong. My intuition is often flawed. My emotions often lead me down a blind alley. I can’t depend on everything you feel!
Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). I don’t have to accept everything I feel, because not everything I feel is right or authentic or will lead me in the right direction.
2. Learn to manage your emotions because I don’t want to be manipulated.
If I don’t control my emotions, they will control me, and I will be manipulated by my moods. And if I’m always guided by my feelings, other people will take advantage of me. Worst of all, negative emotions are Satan’s favorite tool. He will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in my life.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).
3. Learn to manage your emotions because I want to please God.
God cannot rule my life if emotions rule my life. If I make my decisions based on how I feel, then I’ve made my feelings god, and then God can’t be God in my life.
Romans 8:6, 8 says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (GNT).
4. Learn to manage your emotions because I want to succeed in life.
Study after study has shown that my emotional quotient is far more important than my IQ when it comes to success. How many people do I know who ruined their reputation because of something said in anger or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of self-control?
The Bible says in Proverbs 5:23, “[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control” (CEV).
When I gave my heart to Jesus, that commitment included my emotions. So when I say, “I gave my heart to Jesus,” I gave my emotions to him to be managed by him. Jesus wants to be Lord of how I feel, not just what I think and do. He wants to be Lord of my emotions.
“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires” (1 Peter 4:2 GNT).
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