2 Peter 2:19 (NLT), “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”

Paul really took his time to explain the reality of living the saved life! The book of Romans explains how while our re-born spirits are perfectly saved, redeemed, and sanctified, our souls are still programmed to think and act like our old, sinful nature. Unless we habitually re-program our souls to think like our new nature thinks - we will never be able to overcome the desires of the flesh, and the temptation to sin. Paul referred to this as being carnally minded. The trouble is that to continue thinking as a carnal person, by refusing to have God’s Word influence and change the way we think, believe, speak and behave - will lead us along a road that ends in spiritual death. Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Paul said the carnal mind is enmity against God. That means it actively opposes Him. Which is why he strongly warns Christians to live controlled by the Spirit and not the flesh. As we spend time allowing the truth of God’s Word to wash over our minds, by meditating on what it says, it will re-program our minds to see and know through truth. It forges in the recesses of our minds the reality of our identity, our position of righteousness, and our authority as His children! The more the Word of God dominates our minds, the more our spirit-man rules over us - leading us into a life of progressive revelation, victory and freedom over sin! However, if we refuse to let God’s Word dominate our minds, the very opposite will happen. Our lives will become more and more controlled by carnal thinking, drawing us further and further away from the truth and things of God. Romans 1:20-32 describes the progression of a mind that rejects the truth of God, even after knowing Him. It produces a hardened, rebellious heart that refuses to yield to the Lord. In the end, the Lord removes His spirit and gives them over to their own reprobate mind. The believer who loves the Lord and continues to abide in Jesus, keeping His Word alive in their hearts, allows the Word to dominate their lives. They will never fear the danger of falling away from the faith. Decide to make and keep the truth of God’s Word the primary influence over your life - it will lead you into the satisfying life you have been saved into.