TWO CHOICES

Two choices

The Bible says we can either walk through life with a carnal mind which is worldly and temporal or we can walk through life with a spiritual mind.This is when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our spirit.

Many Christians have a vague idea as to what the carnal mind is but the Bible gets pretty specific not only in a comparison form but other truths are explained to us so we can understand the subject. It is apparent to me that this principle is in the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew chapter 25.

The main verses are found in Romans. (6) "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8.

We either have a carnal mind or a spiritual mind. This is just another example in the Bible of either one or the other. The carnal mind responds independent of God and sins which causes a person to live in the flesh. The spiritual mind depends upon the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit which allows a person to live in the Spirit. One results in death ( the carnal mind ) and the other (the spiritual mind ) results in life and peace.

The carnal mind is enmity against Him and could not obey God even if it tried. What I learned from this whole truth or subject is Christians should not respond independent of God because flesh rises up,indulges in self, sins and is enmity against God especially if carnality become a lifestyle.

Most sincere Christians try and please God even though we fall and stumble, but the carnal mind cannot because it is walking away from our Lord independent of His presence.

One of the most popular verses in the Bible says, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:8. It would have to be obvious that if Christians sow to the flesh which could be any sin we should repent. If we don't, what we are struggling with may expand and turn into a lifestyle of sin. I am not saying it will but there is a possibility. I believe it is wise to use caution especially since the rapture is just about to take place. Not only does the Bible teach repentance but it keeps us honest before God.

When we walk away from God it is difficult to get right with Him. I have been in that place many times in my life. I remember a few times when I repented before God and did not feel my confession was very sincere so I confessed that I did not feel my repentance was earnest.

In the next couple of days the Lord started working conviction in my spirit. This is a process that battles against our soul because we live in this body of flesh and sometimes become weak and sin.

In Matthew chapter 25 Jesus talks about the five wise virgins and five foolish virgins in verses 1 through 13 in relation to the second coming of Christ. "But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Matthew 25:4. Oil represents the Holy Spirit.Jesus told us to let our light shine before men so we can be a witness for Him. Matthew 5:16. Before we can do that effectively the Holy Spirit should be filling our spirit with His peace and love.

People can get into all the various interpretations regarding this passage, and I believe there is a place for these teachings. Let me just speak in simple terms. The wise virgins let the Holy Spirit guide them but the foolish virgins did not allow the Holy Spirit to work through their spirit. The wise virgins has a spiritual mind but the foolish virgins had a carnal mind.

As the midnight hour drew close,"And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil: for our lamps are gone out." Matthew 25:8. If the Holy Spirit is guiding us we cannot share our oil ( the Holy Spirit ). The filling of the Holy Spirit is measured by God Himself. We can share Jesus Christ with other people.

The foolish virgins probably had some sin in their life and did not deal with it in a biblical way. Why else would they ask for oil? If they were wise these virgins would have went before God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. That was their responsibility but instead they looked to the five wise virgins for something that only God could implement in their lives.

The foolish virgins recognized that the wise virgins had the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit filling their lives as they were watching for the return of Jesus Christ. What they did not understand is God measures perfect and the anointing was for the wise and not the foolish. God does not make mistakes. If the foolish virgins were able to take some of the oil from the wise virgins than God would have to confess that He was wrong.

Think about the first two words that the foolish virgins asked the wise. "GIVE US." The idea of this parable is we are to repent of our sins and get right with Jesus Christ so the Holy Spirit can fill us with His presence. Regardless as to what your opinion is on this passage (the rapture or the second coming) the principle seems to be evident.

I know Christians that accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Savior but they became hard in one way or another. There is not one ounce of evidence that they are even trying to allow the Holy Spirit to fill them with His peace and love.

When we watch for the rapture we need the Holy Spirit filling our spirit with His presence. The only other way is to live on our own, independent of the guidance of the Holy Spirit which will lead to carnality. The presence of the Holy Spirit is WISE but living independent of the Holy Spirit is FOOLISH especially as we watch for the rapture.

I don't believe the parable of the virgins is teaching a partial rapture. I believe Jesus Christ is coming for His full body. Jesus seemed to be portraying the true Christians that are abiding in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. I don't speak in dogmatism; however, I do believe we should be allowing the Holy Spirit to full our spirit as we watch and pray for the rapture each and everyday of our lives.

I cannot ask myself, "Did I commit a sin?" The Bible is very clear in Romans chapter 3, 1st John chapters 1,2 and many other passages that I do sin. The real questions are, Am I saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? Do I repent of my sins and allow the Holy Spirit to be transparent in my spirit? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me?

When we Christians walk in the flesh we tend to believe we are right. "There is a way which seemth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:22. All the more reason we should choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us so we can proclaim Jesus Christ.

The biggest red flag for me is when I see a person get so rapped up in his or her life with no real thought for God, no biblical conviction of any kind and no repentance. "No man that warreth entangled himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2nd Timothy 2:4.

If we do this we will learn about the world but we will never be able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2nd Timothy 3:7. Jesus Christ is the truth and He wants us to learn of Him. Matthew 11:29. Entangled is a very strong word. I think we should all ask if we are entangled in this world in any way. If this is the case we should talk to God about the situation. It could be fear, worry, lust or any sin (stronghold) but we need to be open/transparent before God with our circumstances so the presence of the Holy Spirit fills our spirit.

Satan can work through the carnal mind but he cannot work through the spiritual mind. If the supernatural peace of the Holy Spirit is flowing through our spirit there is no room for the devil to work on us. The Prince of Peace is Jesus Christ. The King of kings and Lord of lords is too strong and powerful for Satan.

We are only here for a very short time especially in light of the soon coming rapture. If we were to continue in the carnal mind the sins we commit will battle and weigh against our souls. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1st Peter 2:11. If this is the case our mind and spirit will become divided. We become anxious and fearful as opposed to the supernatural peace and love of God working in our life.

Love not the world because the love of the Father will not be in you according to 1st John 2:15. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1,2. The key verbs in this verse are conformed and transformed. God does not want us conforming to this world. God wants us transformed through His Word. Once again there are only two choices.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2. If we do this then "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee." Isaiah 26:3. This is what the Bible refers to as the spiritual mind. The carnal mind gets entangled in the affairs of this world and has no real thought for God because the two are not synonymous with one another.

If my last statement describes you then please repent and accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior and Lord. Jesus wants our affection. The devil also wants our affection. Jesus is faithful and wants a relationship with you. Satan does not care about you and does not want a relationship with you. He has no ability whatsoever to be your friend.

If you are struggling with walking in the flesh or the carnal mind may I make a suggestion? The Bible says, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalms 119:11. I don't care who our favorite speaker is because there is nothing quite like the simple Word of God going into our mind and spirit.

Memorizing important Bible verses at our own pace which varies because we have different schedules would be honoring to God especially if we meditate and pray over the verse. We should read the surrounding verses to make sure we understand the context of the passage. I have never known of a time when Christians are taking so many Bible verses out of their context.

We live in a world where many things are being taken away but nobody can steal this because it is tucked away in our hearts. That should sound pretty appealing.

We should walk on a journey with Jesus Christ who is 100% loyal and faithful to us. We should always be watching for His any moment return as we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with His love because the rapture is very close!

Bob D.