21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
Day 15
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. —Romans 8:5-8
In Romans 8 God clarifies for us that there are only two kingdoms. The kingdom of the flesh means that the person is still under the law of sin and flesh. The kingdom of the spirit are those who are under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:5-6 delineates the difference between the two kingdoms. Romans 8:7-8 describes the kingdom of the flesh and how awful it is.
Read Romans 8:5-6 and make a list of the two kingdoms? What does someone who is in the kingdom of the Spirit do? Setting your mind on the things of the Spirit happens because the Spirit of God now lives in the Christian. Read I Cor. 3:16 and Eph.1:13-14, what do you learn about our relationship with the Spirit of God? Jesus taught us that when He left the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into all of the truth. How has the Spirit worked in your life this week?
The second thing that happens with the Spirit is He gives us life and peace. It is the heritage of all Christians to live life in peace and security. Read I John 3:1-3 and thank God for the wonderful truths listed out here. What is the result of this love from God in vs.2-3? What does it mean to purify yourself?
Romans 8:7-8 describes the problem for people who are still under the law of sin and death. Make a list of the things Paul lists? If you ever wonder why non-Christians are hostile against the faith, here is the reason. Unbelievers do not care about God’s law because they are in rebellion against Him. Compare vs. 8 with Hebrews 11:6? We are pleasing to God because of faith. Please memorize Hebrews 11:6 to help you live out this truth.