How to Be Spiritually Minded in a World Where it Seems Impossible

I made a post on Instagram recently telling everyone I've been going through the books of Romans and Daniel. Digging deeper into both of them has been SO much fun, but today I want to focus on chapter 8 of Romans. First off I want to say it is NOT hard if you really want it. Having the mindset to serve Christ is so much easier when you really strive to do what's right in God's eyes. So, that being said, how do we stay spiritually minded in a World where it seems "IMPOSSIBLE"? I'm gonna give a list of some things that I KNOW (from experience) ruin our minds, and make us want to live in ways we shouldn't want to. 

1. MUSIC

     Boy, has this ruined me MANY times! It seems like music is that one HUGE problem most youth have. And yes, people call "my kind of people" crazy for our view on what music you should listen to, but it really does matter!! Take King Saul for example. 1 Samuel 16:23 says "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." When David played his music on the harp, it made the evil spirit depart from Saul. It affected Saul spiritually to hear music that was pleasing to God! The point I'm really trying to make here is, if godly music refreshes our soul, then what exactly does "wordly" music do to our spirit? It definitely doesn't make me think of Jesus and all He's done for me. Back when I'd listen to it, it would make me want to live a life unpleasing to God. From the country music genre, to pop. It gives you a spirit that wants to do wrong and rebel. This spirit only takes you farther down the "road to destruction", and sooner or later God will give you over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28). But, I am here to tell you, just like me, you can have VICTORY over this! Just give it to God, and he will help you. You just need a WILLING MIND. 

2. BOOKS

     Don't get me wrong, there are some GREAT books out there. But, there are also some bad ones. Especially those romance novels. When you're reading a book that's cussing left and right, or maybe explaining certain scenes in explicit detail, you better take that thing to Goodwill. Better yet, BURN IT! The one BIG reason books can be so harmful is because they make you imagine things, and ponder on those imaginations ALL DAY, EVERYDAY! (2 Corinthians 10:5) This passage says to cast down those imaginations, and bring into CAPTIVITY every thought to the obedience of Christ. Thinking about all those unclean things all day gets you no where near a spiritual mind. Actually a great alternative for those books would be your BIBLE! Keep in mind, I am in no way saying it's wrong to read books besides your Bible! I have a few recommendations on books to read if you'd like to email me about it! Anywho, stay in your Bible, and stay AWAY from those books. (You know which ones I'm talking about if this is you;))

3. MOVIES/TV SHOWS

     You have GOT TO BE CAREFUL what you put before your eyes. Movies and TV shows have become so ate up with "those scenes", and sentences with every curse word in the dictionary! Remember the song, "oh be careful little eyes what you see"? That phrase wasn't put in the song for no reason. Take Matthew 5:29 for example. It says "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." This verse says it ALL! Don't ruin your whole life because of one look! Watching something you shouldn't makes all those thoughts pile up and you start wanting to try it for yourself. It usually goes like this...you think "wow they're having SO MUCH fun, I want to live like that!" I know, I've thought the same thing before. But, really, most of the "soap opera" type shows ALWAYS end on bad terms. At the end of the day they're back in the bar "drinking their sorrows away". Think about it, you'll remember one of the scenes I'm talking about. Don't put yourself in this situation, ask God to help you make the right decision! Temptation is something fierce! 

     Well, we got my list down finally! Those are just a few ways to be "carnally minded". Verse 6 also says "to be spiritually minded is LIFE and PEACE". I don't know about you, but I love living a peaceful life, knowing that I am doing what's right! It always feels good to have a clear conscience. Knowing you're doing wrong eats you alive! But, you are NEVER too far to get back where you should be. Verse 37 says that we are MORE than conquerors THROUGH HIM! Trust in Jesus to help you. It's gonna take a whole lot o' faith, but it's so easy when all you want to do is give your all to HIM! I always LOVE to read, and be reminded of verses 38 and 39. The Bible says "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" NOTHING can separate us from God! Like I said earlier, through Him we are more than conquerors! Start fresh NOW! Pray and ask God to get you back to where you should be! His arms are open wide! 

     I hope I was a great help to someone! Sometimes it can be discouraging to be "different", but once you realize that HE is all that matters, it won't matter! Serve Jesus, because as always, IT IS THE BEST LIFE!!! Thank you for reading, it means SO much! - Tatum