Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

If you have ever been around a toddler for any decent amount of time you know they are just absolutely out of control. Running around yelling and saying words that you may or may not understand. Climbing and jumping on and off things they shouldn’t. Staring straight into your eyes as they do exactly what you’re telling them not to do. Dropping snacks everywhere as they cram way too much into their mouth on their way to give you the sweetest hug before they go off and destroy something else. It doesn’t take long to wonder what kind of unheavenly being is calling the shots in their little minds. They’re not controlled by reason or logic. They’re controlled by their flesh, their own desires.

The same is true for us until we give our lives to Jesus and actually let Him control us through His Spirit living in us. Verses 5-11 talk all about being controlled by the sinful nature (flesh) or by the Spirit. It’s easy to look at this from the context that Christians are controlled by the Spirit and unbelievers are controlled by the flesh. But I would argue that even Christians are often controlled by the flesh. It is a daily battle for control of our minds, hearts, and lives - one that we must surrender every single day. The world fights for our attention even as the Spirit of God dwells inside of us, and how often we all give in.

I have recently been convicted about my lack of giving God control in the daily moments. Big leaps of faith, hard situations, unanswered questions- I’m better about giving Him control of those things, although never perfect. But as I fly through most of my days I don’t always consider letting Him have the moments that I don’t think twice about - to honor Him as I do chores at home, as I play outside with my daughter; and then things that aren’t so wholesome like my quick reactions when someone makes me angry or does something to hurt someone I love. My sharp words have always been a struggle for me, but I am learning to truly give control of them to God as well. I’ve prayed many times asking God to help me honor Him in my life, but then I’m quick to continue without referring to Him throughout the day. But as I have been more intentional in giving each day to God and trying to set my mind on the Spirit as I start the morning and then reminding myself to give Him the moments throughout the day, I am seeing a true difference in how I think about things, see others, and how I respond to people and things.

“The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Verse 6). Back to the toddler example: they can be reckless and wild as they follow their innate developmental nature of curiosity, exploration, and pushing boundaries. And if it’s my toddler, this often results in some sort of punishment or reprimand that does not usually result in peace. When toddlers listen to their parents, things are good, smooth, and happy. Everyone can have “life and peace.” The same is true with us. When we let our minds and lives be controlled by the Spirit, we experience life to the full. Then we experience peace that passes understanding when difficulty comes or just in the daily chaos of life.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.