Tuesday | 01 September 2026
When the word of God is proclaimed to us, we hear the information with our physical ears, and it is considered with our mind. However, if we endeavour to serve the Law of God with our mind, this carnal response to the word inevitably results in serving the law of sin with our flesh. Rom 7:25. Paul said, ‘I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.’ Rom 7:23.
In contrast to this, illumination and the conviction of our spirit by the Holy Spirit, leading to other-centredness, is the evidence of a spiritual response to the word. We must become other-centred in our response to the word. A self-centred, or carnal, response is the antithesis of an identity response. Our identity is in our spirit. Our spirit remains in darkness when illumination is hindered by the appraisal of the word through the law of our mind. This happens as we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit. With this carnal orientation to the word, we can only make a deductive response to the gospel with our mind in relation to the information that we obtain through our five senses.
When we are making a truly spiritual response to the word of God, we respond to the Lord without putting confidence in the flesh. Php 3:3. We serve by the Spirit. That is, we acknowledge that the will to obey the word is present with us, but how to perform what is good we do not understand. Rom 7:18. This is the demeanour of a person who receives the word with meekness. Jas 1:21. Maintaining this demeanour, our response is, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ Mar 9:24.
Further Study:
Romans 7
References:
Rom 7:25
I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom 7:23
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Php 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Rom 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good, I do not find.
Jas 1:21
Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Mar 9:24
Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’