“What? Why in the world did I do that?” Have you ever said that to yourself right after you were done doing whatever it was you did? Do you look at others close to you or in the news and say to yourself, “What were they thinking?” Or as you were watching, you could tell how something was going to end and say “That is going to leave a mark!” Surely we have all either said those statements or unfortunately, we have been the recipients of such statements. Right? Why do I do what I do? Well, I have the answer for you. I know why you/I do those things in our lives, despite knowing better.
It all starts with the head! You see, where the head goes, the body will follow. During my 15-year career as a police officer, at least once a quarter we had our “Defensive Tactics” training, training that was designed to teach us how to prevent others from controlling us and how we could gain control of others through various holds. One of the most telling techniques was being able to control the head, for wherever you to took the head, the suspect’s body would follow. If you could push the head down, the body had no choice but to go down, if you pushed the head back, the body would follow suit. Go ahead and try it on your little sister or brother. 🙂
We find the same principle in scripture. Roman 8:5-6 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.”
You see, wherever the head goes, so the body will follow. If we have our mind set on the flesh, guess where our body will go? Towards fleshly desires ultimately leading to death. Conversely, if we have our mind set on the Spirit, guess where our body will go? Towards Spirit-filled actions and ultimately to life and peace.
Why do I do what I do? It is directly related to the things you have set you mind on, plain and simple. Change your mind set, change your actions. Romans 12:2 sums it up nicely, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
ultimateoutcomes.org is committed toward providing tools and studies to help us change our mind set away from the flesh and towards the Spirit.