I don't know of many things more exciting than gearing up for that first kickoff in September when the dawgs get ready to hunker down for one more season. If you are a sports fan you can relate to the expectation and eagerness leading up to the opening of your favorite teams season opener. Who has been added in the off season, what changes have been made to affect the performance of the team this year, will they have a winning season that lands them in the post season, and a score of other thoughts race enthusiastically through your mind. There is a reason for this, influence! Have you ever wondered why so many social gatherings are planned around sporting events? We live from moment to moment guided by the influences in our lives. Paul addressed this in the book of Romans.....
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace;
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
(Romans 8:6-8 NIV)
I chose the NIV version because I like the way it uses the word control, that's what influence is, control. That is why when someone is controlled by alcohol or drugs we say they are under the influence. What Paul is telling us here is that a person will first make his mind up to sin. In other words at some point in rationalizing you choose sin over self control. There are many things that compete to influence the way we think, act, speak, or even love, Paul is comparing two in this passage, lust, which affects the heart then the mind, and self control which is a direct result of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual's life. Each of these influences have a final result. For the person who sins without God he says the result is death, or separation from God. For the person who chooses self control the result is eternal life, and peace. Are you suffering from making bad choices based on wrong or negative influences, make a choice to surrender to Jesus. Let His mind be in you, His choices guide your actions, and enjoy eternal life forever, and peace right now.