July 18 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:5).

Devotional

Let us test the reality of our religious profession by this truth: "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." Let us closely examine our Christian character and walk in this light: "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit."

What, O reader, is the supreme and habitual bent of your mind? Is it that which is spiritual, or that which is carnal? Considering its approaching solemnities, ascertain your preparation for death. In the rapid approach of its deepening shadows, make sure of your state for eternity. In the certain arrival of its dread scrutiny, find out the real state of your case for Judgment Day. You have your mind set either upon the things of the flesh, or upon the things of the Spirit. You are either born again from above, or you are groveling in things below. You are either holy, or you are unholy. You are either for the Lord, or you are against him. You are either Satan's slave or Christ's freeman. Which is it?

You ask, "How may I know that I am of the Spirit?" We answer, by your producing the fruits of the Spirit. Do you have a broken heart for sin? Do you have a felt conviction of the hidden plague? Do you have a humble and a contrite spirit? Do you have an utter rejection of a human righteousness? Do you have a simple, believing reception of the Lord Jesus? And do you have a longing to be conformed to God? These are evidences of a renewed and sanctified state. If these are yours in any degree, then you are of the Spirit.

But do not rest here. Be exhorted to walk in the Spirit. Do not be satisfied to have the question decided in your favor. Do not content yourself with just barely knowing that you have crossed the line that separates the regenerate from the unregenerate, death from life. Do not remain where you are. Go forward.

Do not content yourself with a low standard. Do not compare your church with other churches. Do not compare yourself with other Christians. Do not measure yourself by yourself. Instead, fix your eye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Copy his example. Imbibe his mind. And place yourself under the government of his Spirit.

Strive to keep going forward! Endeavor to always be sowing to the Spirit. Aim to always be satisfied with the Lord's management of your affairs. Cultivate the divine art of contentment. Embrace the truth that what the Lord ordains is best. Covet little of earthly good. And, as an old divine exhorts, "sail with a low gale." Lie low. The great secret of a holy and a happy life is contained in a small scope—walking humbly with God.

In all failures in duty, in all shortcomings in practice, in all transactions with God, and in all dealings with man—remembering the innumerable traces of imperfection and sin found on all you do—deal frequently and closely with the atoning blood of Jesus. "Wash and be clean" (2 Kings 5:13).

I need thee, precious Jesus,
for I am full of sin;
my soul is dark and guilty,
my heart is dead within.
I need the cleansing fountain
where I can always flee,
the blood of Christ most precious,
the sinner's perfect plea.

(Frederick Whitfield, 1855)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.