Being Stubborn

DEVOTION
ROMANS
BEING STUBBORN
Rom 8:5-8
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. NIV

Being stubborn usually carries the implication of something not as good as being flexible, or open minded. But here it is, right up front in my face. Here is one issue for sure God wants me to be stubborn about. I need to have my mind set on living according to the Spirit, no open mindedness here at all. In fact the way I do have my mind made up, the Greek word actually implies, the way I am inclined to think, or the inclination of my mind, is the way I live. Now, this is quite different then slipping once and a while and doing something I shouldn't,yes this is quite different. Here I see I am the one who directs the content and direction of my mind. If my lifestyle is one of continually being engaged in sinful behavior, no doubt, I have made my mind up that is the way I want to be. On the other hand, if I live in a way that desires to do that which pleases God, then I have made up my mind to engage in that type of behavior. It is my mind which determines which, as I think so am I. So if I allow myself to think about the wrong things, then I will engage in those things, and thus I will have become hostile to God and not his friend. No, I must be stubborn about this, I must insist my mind think about the good and Godly things, and I must be extremely stubborn with myself, not with others, but myself. Now, I know, this verse says I need to allow the Spirit to control my thinking, yet I must retreat to the Greek once again to really grasp the whole meaning here, that it is again my stubbornness of having my mind made up, that I have an inclination toward the Spirit’s voice, which means I must still my mind, in order to hear the voice of God. If I am facing away from a friend, it is difficult to hear him whisper to me, but if I am face to face with him and intent on hearing his words then I will. I will remain stubborn, I want to hear God.