RIGHT AND WRONG THINKING !

RIGHT AND WRONG THINKING : (Romans 8:5--8). "For those who are according to the flesh [the old nature] and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and all controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit. Now the mind of the flesh [old nature] which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the Holy Spirit] is life and [soul] piece [both now and forever]. That is because the mind of the flesh [old nature] with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him." (Galatians 5:15-19). "But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk and live [habitually in the Holy Spirit [responsive to and control and guided by the Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh [of human nature without God]. For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Holy Spirit] or the reborn human spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are opposite to the flesh [godless human nature]; for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided [led] by the Holy Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the doings [practices] of the flesh are clear [obvious]: they are in immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger [ill temper], selfishness, divisions [dissensions] party spirit [faction, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies] Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Looking into the matter of wrong thinking, wrong believing, and wrong confessing, let us ask the question: just what is a wrong confession? Wrong confession is a confession of defeat and failure and the supremacy of Satan. Talking about how the devil is keeping you from success, holding you in bondage, are keeping you sick is a confession of the defeat. In such a confession simply glorifies the devil. As I have said in previous lessons, confession is witnessing for a truth that we have embraced, testifying of something we know, and affirming something we believe. Many times our confessions admit defeat and glorify the devil rather than witness to what God's Word has to say about a matter.