God Pleasers

“Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. 6 Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death 7 because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God. 9 But you are not like that. You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that if anyone doesn't have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.)” Romans 8:5-9 (TLB)

On November 20th, my son, Brad, wrote a devotional called “Born into war” that talks in depth on the subject on the fall of the human race. As one progresses from birth to infancy to childhood and upwards, it doesn’t take long to realize that life is not a bed of roses, regardless of whether you come from a wealthy family or not. If you were born into luxury or born into the right neighborhood (if there is such a thing) or even you were born into royalty, from the time of birth we’ve had to contend for what we wanted to achieve in life. All of us have had our dreams shattered at some point, but we had to move on and face another day. God has created us all with the same feelings, desires and hope and we all strive for a better life but ultimately He created us to live for, and have a relationship with Him.

“And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), 27 So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27 (AMP)

So that they should seek God
As a result of the fall of the human race each and every one of us are selfish by nature – which is definitely not inherited from God. He gave us our own free will to choose right from wrong. He did not make us to be mechanical robots to follow Him at the touch of a button, or by remote control. By disobeying God we took upon ourselves rebellion, rage, revenge, hate, murder, the list is endless. Our text says “Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God”.

We have to be God pleasers if we want a life of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – which are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit is constantly working in us and helping us to please our heavenly Father, so now we need to exercise all of the fruit of the Spirit to make it operative in our lives so that we can have a pure conscience and be God-pleasers. We also have to yield to Him and allow Him to help us to live a pure and holy life.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7  

A sound, calm and well-balanced mind
Adam Clarke's Commentary describes a “sound mind” as: “a clear understanding, a sound judgment, a rectified will, holy passions, heavenly tempers; in a word, the whole soul harmonized in all its powers and faculties; and completely regulated and influenced, so as to think, speak, and act aright in all things. The apostle says, God hath given the spirit of these things; they are not factitious; they are not assumed for times and circumstances; they are radical powers and tempers; each produced by its proper principle.”

Strong’s Greek Word Studies denotes one of sober mind to be: “a person of prudence and discretion. The state referred to here is that in which the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and relations.”

We have to bring our passions, desires, and human cravings under control; this is having a self–disciplined or self-controlled mind.    

If we’re going to be an example and a witness to the world around us, we have to begin with ourselves and purpose to walk in the Word, not just hear it week after week. Put the time in to train your mind to submit to the Word and to your spirit man (who is led by the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:14). Here are a few simple pointers that may be helpful:

1. Recognize that you are to submit to and rank under the authority of Almighty God, a higher authority than your own carnal mind. (James 4:7) (1 Peter 5:6

2. Cast all your cares upon the Lord. You cannot exercise a calm, sound and well-balanced mind and at the same time allow the cares of the world to distract and overwhelm you. (1 Peter 5:7)

3. Remember that the carnal mind is an enemy of God (Romans 8:5-8) so we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Finally, meditate on these things
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these thingsand the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8

In the New Testament meditate literally means to take inventory, to consider, take account, weigh. In the Old Testament it also means to ponder, to talk, to muse and to mutter, or to study. (Strong’s Dictionary)

This week I encourage you to take account or inventory and consider the importance of renewing your mind in order to have a sound mind and be a God-pleaser.

We must continually renew our minds by reading the Word, meditating on it, getting it deep down into our consciousness and into our understanding until it takes root. Then, whenever thoughts rise up contrary to what the Word of God says about you, just change your thinking by meditating on these verses of scripture. By doing this you are renewing your mind and filling it with the peace of God which surpasses all natural understanding. 

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Bro. Peter Rahme

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