What you set your mind on will become your mindset.

We all strive to overcome sin in our lives. One key to winning the battle is confession. Confession brings sin into the light, and sin cannot survive in the light. Rather, it thrives in darkness, where it remains when left unconfessed and hidden.

But also, Paul gives us another key to winning the sin war—it’s all about your mindset. Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” This verse tells us that your mindset will determine your daily actions in life. So, what is your mind set on day in and day out?

There is more sin available today than ever before over the course of human history. There is more sin at your fingertips, available in mere seconds with a few swipes of a finger, than ever. Thus, this truth given by Paul is more potent than ever. What do you set your mind on daily? What do you consume? What do you think about? Where does your mind wander to regularly? My parents always said, “garbage in, garbage out.” I can almost hear those words coming from Paul’s mouth in Romans 8.

So what can we do to begin winning more battles than we lose? We change our mindset. We begin consuming holy, heavenly things. More entertainment that’s uplifting rather than degrading. More reading that’s holy rather than unhealthy. More conversations that aim to uplift rather than pull down. In a world that is geared toward unholy, unhealthy thinking, we must learn to think differently. Perhaps Paul said it best in the following passages:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” -Colossians 3:1-2

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Ephesians 5:15-20